CIRCA 1760

Details

A painted enamel snuff-box
circa 1760
The cover painted with scenes from the Battle of Kunersdorf and an inscription in Russian above, the sides with trophies of arms, the base with a drum, the interior with an oval portrait of Empress Elizabeth of Russia within a oval inscription against a trophy of arms, with waived gilt-metal mounts, apparently unmarked
5 3/8 in. (8.2 cm.) long

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The battle of Kunersdorf, 12th August 1759, was a triumphant victory for the army of Elizabeth Petrovna under the leadership of P'otr Sem'onovich Salt'kov, in the Seven Years' War. The Prussian army under Frederick the Great was routed and the King was rescued from his isolated position on a hillock by the pleas of the Polish cavalry officer, Captain Prittwitz. This scene is apparently depicted on the cover of the present box, with the Prussian troops fleeing in the distance. It was the most devastating defeat of Frederick II's reign.
(For further information see The Miniature in Russia XVIII-XX centuries, Hermitage Collection, Leningrad, 1981, p.36-37.)

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