Tabakspot, vervaardigd als herinnering aan de toekenning op 26 januari 1787 door de Académie Royale et Patriotique van Valence, van een ereprijs aan Adriaan Paets van Troostwijk (1752-1837) en Cornelis Kraijenhoff (1758-1840) 1787

This silver tobacco box was made by Johannes Schiotling around 1787 to commemorate an award given to Adriaan Paets van Troostwijk and Cornelis Kraijenhoff by the Académie Royale et Patriotique of Valence. The box would have been fabricated from sheets of silver, which were then soldered together. Notice the incredible detail on the box's surface, achieved through chasing and engraving. These techniques involve hammering and incising the metal to create intricate patterns and images, like the coat-of-arms and allegorical scenes we see here. It’s a laborious process requiring great skill, and of course the cost of the silver itself would have made this a luxury item. In the 18th century, tobacco boxes were symbols of status and sociability. The care taken in crafting this particular example elevates it beyond mere utility, transforming it into a lasting tribute to intellectual achievement. Recognizing the labor and expense involved in its creation helps us appreciate the value placed on both craftsmanship and scientific progress in the late 18th century.