Russian silver-gilt snuff box with 1721 Treaty of Nystad commemorative medal
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th century
This round 18th-century Russian snuff box is crafted from silver-gilt and features intricate decorative engravings, including garlands of leaves, bouquets of flowers, and allegorical motifs.
The lid is centered with a commemorative numismatic medal honoring the 1721 Treaty of Nystad, which concluded the Great Northern War between Russia and Sweden. The medal, created by Danish medallist Anton Schultz, features a bust of Peter the Great wearing a wig and armor on the obverse, accompanied by the inscription "PETRUS MAGNUS RUSSORUM AUTOCRATOR / VERUS IMPERII SUI AUGUSTUS." The reverse carries a Latin inscription detailing the peace treaty.
The back of the snuff box mirrors the lid's decorative style, showcasing a noble coat of arms featuring a lion and unicorn supporting a central figure beneath a crown, framed by rays and floral elements. Measuring 2.5 cm in height and 9 cm in diameter with a weight of 174 grams, this piece exhibits fine craftsmanship indicative of 18th-century decorative arts. The item does not bear any visible hallmarks.
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
- Weight
- 174 g
- Material
- silver-gilt
- Dimensions
- 2.5 x 9 cm
Technical characteristics
- Medallist
- Anton Schultz
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of Peter I facing right, inscriptions
- Reverse
- Latin commemorative inscription
- Decoration
- Engraved garlands of leaves, flowers, rays of light, noble coat of arms with lion and unicorn
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
- Anton Schultz
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.