Snuff Box With Studded Decor & Secret “erotic” Miniature, 17th Century, Uk, Charles Ii

Superb and rare English snuffbox dating from the late 17th century, during the reign of Charles II.

The box is oval, the body is made of beautiful tortoiseshell with superb speckles. The lid is composed of a ivory plaque with a superb brass-studded decoration forming arabesques, punctuated with horn inlay (?).

The inside of the lid is painted with a magnificent biblical scene recounting the episode of Susanna and the Elders. Susanna is seated in the center, surrounded by the two lustful elders. The scene takes place in a garden with vegetation, a fountain, and a pond. The miniature is very finely painted with many details and great realism.

A plaque covered with chamois leather (?) protects the miniature. A small turned handle allows for handling this plaque. I believe that originally the plaque was intended to remain in place on the lid; this is no longer the case due to wear and the interplay of materials. However, it remains perfectly in place, without movement when the box is closed.

This plaque protects the miniature of the box's container but also allows for a spectacular reveal when tobacco was offered to loved ones.
The depiction of this scene was indeed a pretext for possessing a nude, under the guise of morality. However, the symbolic message of this episode, warning against lust and lies, should not be excluded.

The box's hinge is solid silver, not hallmarked but acid-tested.

A magnificent box made of precious materials with incredible quilting work on the lid and a high-quality miniature hidden within the lid. Although this type of box is well identified, these are rare pieces, made even rarer by the miniature painted on the lid and this protective plaque, which I have never seen elsewhere.

11 x 8.5 cm
2 cm high

87 grams

Very good condition with some normal wear for a box of this period: small dents under the lower rim and missing brass threads on the lid. Traces of old varnish on the miniature and some missing parts on the clothing and sky.

Hand delivery in Paris or insured Colissimo shipping.
France: €15
Europe: €20
Worldwide: €35