17th Century Dutch Silver Tobacco Box

A magnificent, exceptional, fine and impressive, rare antique 17th century Dutch silver tobacco box; an addition to our smoking related silverware collection This magnificent antique Dutch silver tobacco box has an oval rounded form. The underside of this impressive Dutch tobacco box is embellished with exceptional chased decorated scene depicting a lady draped across soft furnishings and accompanied by a bearded male, with putto* observing this act amidst a stately garden backdrop; this scene can be perceived to be connected to artistic works portraying Venus, Vulcan and Cupid. The sides of this exceptional box are encompassed with chased decorated grotesque mask and scrolling leaf decoration, accented with floral motifs, all on a matte background. This silver tobacco box retains the original hinged cover embellished with further chased decoration depicting a male and female character eating and drinking with a rural city scene in the background. This exceptional example of 17th century silverware is the finest of its type you could hope to acquire; it is rare to find such an early example in such original, exceptional condition. * In art and culture, a putto (plural: putti) is a chubby male child, usually nude and occasionally bearing wings. Note: Jan Breda originally trained as a toy maker, however as his career expanded he became known as a trader in jewelery and precious metals.