SOLD At a Distance, Near at Hand, Double-sided 18th Century Dutch Engraved Brass Tobacco Box folk art phone 7/8" wide and deep

7/8" wide and deep

and right in keeping with my obsession with 19th century penmanship

I can't find another like it anywhere out there

and cracking to the surface of the wood as pictured

I love seeing these investments in preserving the utility and longevity of this trusty old thing

SOLD At a Distance, Near at Hand, Double-sided 18th Century Dutch Engraved Brass Tobacco Box folk art phone 7/8" wide and deepThe is an antique Dutch tobacco box, 18th century, hand engraved on both sides. There is a rich history of these, which in this period commonly portrayed romantic scenes or morality lessons of sorts. I've gone back and forth here, especially as I've found the text a challenge to translate. At first I read it as portraying two scenes of progressive romantic familiarity, in a sort of "inch by inch" way, first reaching for, and then ultimately snuggling