Snuffbox horn entirely carved in savings size;
XVI / XVII; Scandinavia?
Friezes decorated with interlacing to identify a likely Scandinavian provenance, and the combination of horn and softwood. The presence of 15th / 16th century weapons: a halberd, a sawtooth dagger, and a so-called archer's sword guard in S, indicate a manufacture of XVIth time.
Religious decoration representing the crucifixion with at the foot of Christ, the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene (or the Apostle John) and the Roman soldiers; John the Baptist holding a stick topped by a cross, the sun and the moon, the descent from the Cross with Mary holding Christ in her arms (Pieta); the women at the sepulcher with Mary the mother of James, Salome and Mary Magdalene holding the vase of perfume;
and a large frieze representing eleven apostles (Judas being excluded as is often the case): Andrew with the cross, Jude Thaddaeus with the ax, Thomas with the spear, Matthias with the halberd, Barthelemy (also called Nathanael) with the knife , Simon the Zealot with the saw, Matthew with the sword, Peter with the key, Philip with the stone, John the evangelist with the chalice, James with the club-butt.
Popular work done with great skill because of the fineness of the horn.
Softwood base attached by small iron nails. Miss the top.
Good condition. Dimensions: 8.9 cm x 4.8 cm
TABATIERE carved horn - XVIth-XVIIth - Folk Art - Scandinavia
