MARK OF PIETER VERGEER, SCHOONHOVEN, 1777

The pachtersoproer was a Dutch rebellion in the 18th century. The Netherlands had been in an economic malaise since 1740 and the people were getting disgruntled about the ruling system of rural tax-collection. On the 25th of June the Amsterdam riots began and after the death of one of the female troublemakers the outraged crowd plundered the houses of several tax officers and rich merchants on the Keizersgracht. Eventually the rebellion lasted for four days and on 27th of June its leaders Pieter van Dordt and the famous Dutch fishwife Marretje Arents were sentenced to death. They were hanged from the Weighing House on the Dam Square the next day. A tobacco box engraved with scenes of the fights on Dam Square and the looting of houses were presented to those who were responsible for suppressing the rebellion.
For a similar box see H. Vreeken, Goud en Zilver met Amsterdamse keuren, Zwolle, 2002, no. 221, p. 298, illustrated.