Iserlohn brass and copper tobacco box 'Sieg bei Torgau', Johann Heinrich Giese, 18th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
2nd half of the 18th century
This rectangular tobacco box with rounded corners is a significant example of 18th-century Iserlohn brassware. The box construction features a lid and base crafted from brass, contrasted by a copper body.
The lid is highly detailed with embossed, multifaceted scenes of military events from the Battle of Torgau, fought in 1760 during the Seven Years' War, framed by an ornate decorative border. The base displays an embossed ten-line hymn of praise dedicated to Frederick the Great, flanked by military iconography including flags, coats of arms, a helmet, and scrolling tendril motifs. The maker's signature, "IOH HENR GIESE FEC.", is clearly embossed on the lid.
Measuring approximately 3 x 15.5 x 4.5 cm, the item shows signs of age-appropriate wear, including minor dents and a natural patina. This piece serves as both a functional tobacco container and a historical commemorative object celebrating Prussian military victories during the reign of Frederick the Great.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- brass lid and base, copper body
- Dimensions
- 3 x 15.5 x 4.5 cm (HxWxD)
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- embossed
Design
- Obverse
- scenic depiction of the Battle of Torgau (1760) with inscription
- Reverse
- ten-line text praising Frederick the Great framed by flags, coats of arms, helmet, and tendrils
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Johann Heinrich Giese
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.