Johann Heinrich Giese
Tobacco Box

Public Domain

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Maker Johann Heinrich Giese (German, 1716–1761, active Iserlohn c. 1756)German, 1716–1761, active Iserlohn c. 1756

CultureGerman

Titles

Tobacco Box

Datec. 1750–1760

Made inIserlohn, Germany

MediumBrass

Dimensions1 3/16 × 6 3/8 in. (3 × 16.2 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg

Object numberB.60.8

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Newport Room

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionThis box comes from a group of elongated tobacco boxes that were made in Iserlohn, Germany, close to the Dutch border. The stamped decoration was applied using a round matrix that was rolled onto the sheet brass before cutting, folding, and hinging. They were cheaper to produce than the engraved Dutch examples. The engraver Johann Heinrich Giese invented this rolling stamp. In 1755, Frederick the Great granted Giese a monopoly to produce these boxes. They offered a cheap and fashionable means of spreading propaganda, and many are stamped with scenes glorifying Frederick's achievements in the Seven Years' War (1756–63).
Provenance[Cogar, Lewis, and Geiger, Williamsburg, Virginia]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, 1960; given to MFAH, by 1966.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Inscribed on lid: "TRIUMPHI / FRIDERICI / MAXIMI"

Marked on lid: "IOH HENI / GEISE FF"

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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