Of oblong form with rounded ends, the cover engraved with the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman. Length 12 cm, width 4.5 cm, hight 3 cm, weight 146 grams, kleine keur Amsterdam, 2nd standard silver 833/1000
The encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well, as described in John 4. Jesus asks the woman for water, John 4:9 Then said the Samaritan woman unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, a woman of Samaria? for Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. (Telos)
During the conversation he reveals her past and identity as the Messiah. The woman, surprised that a Jew is speaking to her, shares this news with her fellow townspeople, who also come to faith.
Flanked by animals and curling feathers
A hare above a pig.
The hare is a Christian symbol of rebirth and resurrection, and is often associated with Easter. This stems from the hare’s association with fertility and spring, and its connection to the resurrection of Christ.
In the Christian tradition, Easter is celebrated as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The hare, known for its fertility and ability to produce many young, is seen as a symbol of new life and rebirth, which parallels the Christian message of resurrection.
There is also a connection to the Germanic goddess Ostara, the goddess of spring, who is also associated with the hare and fertility. This connection between pagan traditions and Christian symbolism may have contributed to the hare’s popularity as a symbol of Easter.
Although the Easter bunny is a relatively modern tradition, originating in Germany in the 17th century, the symbolism of the bunny as a bearer of new life is much older and has become interwoven with the Christian celebration of Easter over time.
Pig
In an early Christian writing: ‘Concerning the pig he (Moses) said: You must not associate with people who live like pigs. That is, with people who, when they have plenty, forget the Lord, but when they have need, acknowledge the Lord. Like a pig, when he eats he does not know his master, but when he is hungry he cries, and when he has received he is silent’ (Epistle of Barnabas 10:3).
Pigs, as described in early Christian interpretations of Jesus’ words, signify those who do not understand or appreciate the sacred teachings. These metaphors were used for outsiders or those who could not see the spiritual value. They were also figurative representations of people who were unworthy to acknowledge the sacred truths. This concept emphasizes the distinction between believers and those who rejected the Christian message.
Bird
Isaiah 40:31 speaks of an eagle. It is a well-known Bible text:
"But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." The eagle is a symbol that in the Christian tradition can refer to both Jesus and John, one of the apostles. In the Bible, the eagle is used as an image of God's protective power and love, for example in Exodus 19:4, where it says: "I have borne you on eagles' wings."
The box has an engraved back
On the back of the box we see an indication.
Jesus is standing barefoot on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. In the background a fishing boat, especially the one on the Sea of Galilee, is often associated with Jesus and his disciples. It is a symbol of his calling of fishermen as his first followers and of his preaching on the water. In addition, the fish, in the form of the Ichthus symbol, refers to Jesus as "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior". The boat on the Sea of Galilee can also symbolize the church, sailing on the waves of life, with Jesus as the helmsman.
The people in the image are all well dressed, the woman in the shop looks down on Jesus. A man walks happily to the shop with goods under his arm. A merchant points to the two packages on the ground. Jesus rejects it. The bourgeoisie who derive their power or status from their wealth. Jesus rejects this.
Earthly goods and spiritual wealth are often opposed in the Christian faith. Earthly goods, such as money and possessions, can be a temptation that distracts people from their faith and relationship with God, while spiritual wealth, such as faith, love and wisdom, is seen as the true treasure.
In the corners we see the hare above the pig, around the picture we see flying eagles.
On one engraved side, Putti holding a ribbon. Putti refers to two small, plump, often winged figures, usually boys, that appear frequently in Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo art. They are derived from the Latin term "putus", meaning "boy", and are often associated with earthly passions and the Greco-Roman god of love, Eros/Cupid.
On the other engraved side of the box, Putti, one winged, the 2nd not, both holding up a banner with initials.
Probably the Amsterdam tobacco box was a gift at a wedding or other festive event.
Above we see a hatchet, later duty mark.
The hatchet, the 1853 duty mark for old silver objects of national origin returned to the trade. In accordance with several resolutions with further clarifications, this mark was intended for objects with the hallmarks of the ancient Netherlands silversmiths companies, of Louis Napoleon's Kingdom of Holland, of the French Republic, of the French Empire until the end of 1813, of Maastricht and Liege 1814-1815, and of the former Southern Netherlands. In accordance with these resolutions even objects with marks which clearly had been struck in France and the present Belgium were to be considered national and thus exempt from import duty and double marking duty. Later it was decided that objects with this hatchet mark were to be considered as equal to guaranteed objects, and were thus permitted to be exposed for sale in the showcases for guaranteed objects. The use of this mark was abolished in 1927 for two reasons: 1st . The lack of knowledge of the old marks has caused this mark to be sometimes struck on old foreign objects. 2nd. this mark had often been counterfeited and used to give objects an antique aura.
The inside of the box with the hallmarks and old sticker with the inventory number of a very well-known antique dealer today.
Maker's mark a flounder in cartouche, townmark Amsterdam with year letter D for 1763
Evert Bot, registered in Amsterdam, 1744-1789, maker's mark bot-flounder, born after 1684. Protestant, son of Johannes Bot, glazier and Maria Schoonenbergh, master in 1744, died 1789. He made small silverwork, specialist in engraved tobacco boxes, brother and companion of silversmith Jan Bot (1740- before 1754, died 1765).
Peter