SOLD At a Distance, Near at Hand, Double-sided 18th Century Dutch Engraved Brass Tobacco Box group of portraits Which makes perfect sense

Which makes perfect sense

though the old painted surface is so much better in person

PA dealer as a great mid 19th c

The lacquer on the interior of the box is in very good shape

The tip of one toe is not totally pasted down but I'll add a tiny bit of archival tape underneath to better tether it before sending

SOLD At a Distance, Near at Hand, Double-sided 18th Century Dutch Engraved Brass Tobacco Box group of portraits Which makes perfect senseThe is an antique Dutch tobacco box, 18th century, hand engraved on both sides. There is a rich history of these, which in this period commonly portrayed romantic scenes or morality lessons of sorts. I've gone back and forth here, especially as I've found the text a challenge to translate. At first I read it as portraying two scenes of progressive romantic familiarity, in a sort of "inch by inch" way, first reaching for, and then ultimately snuggling