18th century horn snuff box

[jdm]

Heres a nice little horn box . I don't know who the maker was but over the last thirty years I've seen three by him. I wish I could read the wrighting on this. Does any know what language it is? I believe the date is 1797 .

I have a feeling the two women have some unkind remaks for who pants those are. 

[PhDBrewer]

Could we get the  second image in focus please?
Thanks,

William

[Mike blair]

Flemish is a good possibility.

[jdm]

PhdBrewer , Sorry I loaded the wrong image. I've also posted a picture of it next to the other one I have by the same maker to show how small it is.
Mike ,Thanks for your suggestion. Flemish was not on my radar but it is now. Iwas told German or Pennsylvania Dutch by another collector. If someone would other images please let me know. I'll see what I can come up with .  Thanks



 

[debnal]

Here is a similar one on ebay.
Al



https://www.ebay.com/itm/296911547854

[jdm]

Thanks Al, I'm glad I didn't see that before it sold or I would of been buying something else I didn't need.  Jim

[backsplash75]

Breeches and women remind me of a Zane casting https://encyclopediavirginia.org/13630hpr-4a80100cf7a178c/

European peasant folklore provides the imagery, wherein a pair of man's breeches symbolize domestic authority; the breeches are shown hanging in a tree and are, thereby, unavailable to the women below. At the right, three women ring handbells in an attempt to "call down" the breeches while, at the left, a man in a frock coat derisively applauds their efforts. This traditional interpretation of the imagery on the plate gains credence by the fact that 1768 was a leap year, an occasion when, according to ancient tradition, " . . . Women weare breetches, petticoats are deare."

Mesda Journal May 1985 by Bivens

"More interesting are the side
plates (8a) of this stove, the design for which was drawn from
a fable well known to eighteenth century Germans. In this scene,
a pair of men's breeches hang from a tree. Three women on the
right are ringing handbells, while on the left a man stands
clapping his hands in glee. Joseph Sandford interpreted this plate
in the third edition of Mercer's pioneering Bible in Iron:
The clue to the meaning of the picture may be found
in the breeches which are the symbol of domestic author-
ity .. . It is probable that this is a little joke about hanging
the breeches in the tree, so that the wife will be unable
to wear them. The women by ringing their bells, try to
call down the breeches, the man derisively applauds their
futile effort"

[jdm]

It always amazes me the knowledge of the members of this fourm.   backsplash thank you for adding this and posting the picture of the stove plate. It's great to learn new things.  Jim