Snuff Box Origins

[juantotree]

Hi

I am assuming this table snuff box has Hanau marks (I stand to be corrected). Does anybody recognise these and maybe help with an attribution?

Many Thanks
Martin

[oel]

Snuff or tobacco box



Hi Martin,

Not Hanau Germany but made in Ath Belgium, 18th century .
The Belgian city of Ath in Dutch Aat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ath
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hainaut_Province
Silversmiths only established their own guild in 1662. Its mark, taken from the city's coat of arms, is a cross on a base. Around 1750 another mark is regularly added, representing the coat of arms of the Count of Hainaut. Perhaps added for silver of the highest 1st standard only?

Silver in Belgium 1500-1800, Piet Baudouin, Pierre Colman, Dorsan Goethals
Year letters are used, early till 1749 but exactly how remains to be discovered. Your snuff box is dated 1769.


The maker's mark, an ''eye mask" under crown, has previously been encountered on silver from Ath, but hitherto unknown. This maker's mark found on a silver tobacco jar (1778) the Legacy Lunden, Stercskshof Deurne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterckshof.
https://books.google.nl/books/about/Leg ... edir_esc=y

Sources; 1.) Silver in Belgium 1500-1800, Piet Baudouin, Pierre Colman, Dorsan Goethals. 2.) Belgische Zilvermerken R. Stuyck.

Peter

[juantotree]

Hi Peter

Thank you so much for this great information, I bought it because it seemed to be particularly well made, I will certainly keep my eyes open in future for these marks.

Regards
Martin

[oel]

Martin,

Thanks to my source, I can tell you who is the maker. The maker's mark, a Crowned W, is attributed to Antoine Warquant, working in Ath circa 2nd half 18th century, known for his tobacco boxes.


https://www.divaantwerp.be/nl/collectio ... nt-antoine
​Source; Orfèvrerie civile athoise
Authors:Jean Dugnoille, Ernest Overlau
Print Book, French, 2006
Publisher: Cercle Royal d'Histoire et d'Archéologie d'Ath et de la Région et Musées Athois, Ath, 2006
Publication:Etudes et Documents du Cercle royal d'histoire et d'archéologie d'Ath et de la région
​
Gratitude; Giacomo Visini | Bibliotheekmedewerker, stad Antwerpen | DIVA museum | Team Bibliotheek

Peter.

[juantotree]

Peter,

Fabulous, I can't thank you enough for your time and effort, it is greatly appreciated.

Martin