Meissen snuffbox with merchant shipping scenes.

An oval, centrally drawn body with a flat, curved hinged lid. On both sides of the wall and on the lid, there are matching curved reserves adorned with foliage and ribbon work, with a light background. Within them are various so-called "Kaufmann" scenes. In the foreground, there is a vast architectural landscape with large sailing ships and imposing castle complexes, where European, partly foreign or oriental merchants are engaged in negotiations over goods. The interior lid depicts a corresponding scene of merchants and workers between boats, bales, and barrels. The bottom features a rider in front of a landscape backdrop. The fine, polychrome painting is by Johann George Heintze. Partly fine, purple ornamentation with miniature-like figurative scenes. Gold decoration and staffage. Interior wall gilding. Gilt mounting. Height 4.4 cm. 6.5 cm x 4.5 cm. Cf. Meissen snuff boxes from the 18th century, Röbbig Munich, No. 23; Beaucomp-Markowsky, Porcelain Boxes, No. 40. A gilt-mounted porcelain snuff box finely painted with Kaufmann scenes by J.G. Heintze. Meissen. Around 1730-1735.