Antique Dutch Silver Tobacco Box Depicting Venus And Adonis – 139 Grams

Welcome to my shop.

A very beautiful, richly decorated Dutch silver box, likely made during the second half of the 19th or early 20th century. Its elongated shape and dimensions suggest that it was probably intended to hold tobacco.

All exterior sides, as well as the lid, are adorned with remarkably detailed mythological scenes in high relief. The main scene likely depicts the farewell of Venus and Adonis. The man is holding the woman, who appears to be carrying a bow. The couple is accompanied by two winged Cupids and four swans: two near a chariot on the left and two swimming in the water on the right. Venus may be trying to prevent her beloved Adonis from leaving for the hunt that will prove fatal to him.

The other sides feature additional mythological and pastoral scenes, populated by musicians, putti, and various animals.

The box bears a Dutch finess mark depicting a lion passant within a horizontal hexagonal cartouche. A small number 2 appears to be visible beneath the lion, indicating Dutch silver of the second finess, or 833/1000. The interior bears a master’s mark with the initials JG, but the silversmith has not yet been definitively identified. Three small historicizing pseudo-marks are also present on the exterior, likely intended to give the box the appearance of older silverware.

Dimensions:

12.5 × 4.5 × 3.6 cm

Total weight:

139 grams

Condition: shows signs of use, but in very good condition. Please examine the photographs carefully; they are an integral part of the description.

A particularly decorative and unusual silver box, intended for collectors of Dutch silverware, mythological depictions, or historicist art objects.

Thank you for visiting my shop.

Best regards,
Ben

Keywords:

Antique Dutch silver snuff box, 833 silver, lion passant 2, JG hallmark, Venus and Adonis, Cupid, swans, mythological scene, repoussé silver, historicist silver, 19th century.