Snuffbox with four maritime scenes; Louis XIV crossing the Rhine in 1672 1798 - 1838

This snuffbox with four maritime scenes was made by Adrien Jean Maximilien Vachette, probably in France, sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The box is decorated with miniature paintings that reference Louis XIV's crossing of the Rhine in 1672. This event was a major propaganda victory for Louis XIV, who used it to promote his image as a powerful and divinely appointed ruler. The image was reproduced across many mediums and was employed to reinforce Louis's authority. The creation of this snuffbox coincided with the French Revolution, when many symbols of the old regime were destroyed or defaced. The choice of subject matter for this snuffbox may have been intended as a conservative statement, a way of reaffirming traditional values and beliefs in a time of great social and political upheaval. To understand the context surrounding this object, historians might consult primary sources such as contemporary newspapers, pamphlets, and personal letters, as well as secondary sources such as biographies of Louis XIV and studies of French political culture.