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Russian silver snuff box with medal mommemorating the signing of the Treaty of Nystad in 1721, 18th century

Height x diameter: 2.5 x 9 cm. Weight: 174 g.
round in shape, silver gilt, and decorated with engravings depicting garlands of leaves, bouquets of flowers, and allegories.
On the lid, surrounded by rays of light, is the commemorative medal of the signing of the Treaty of Nystad in 1721, featuring Peter the Great. This is an important numismatic work issued to celebrate Russia's victory in the Great Northern War and the signing of the peace treaty with Sweden, created by Danish medallist Anton Schultz (active 1716 - 1724 in Copenhagen, thereafter in Moscow, โ€  1736)
The Treaty of Nystad in 1721 marked the end of the Great Northern War (1700โ€“1721) between the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Sweden. It was signed on August 30, 1721, in the city of Nystad (now Uusikaupunki, Finland), stipulating the territorial cession of vast Baltic regions by Sweden to Russia, including Estonia, Ingria, and Livonia (Latvia), while Sweden received significant financial compensation and guarantees for religious freedom in the ceded territories.

On the obverse the bust image of Peter I, facing right, wearing a wig, armor, a cloak, and the ribbon of the order.
On the obverse inscription: PETRUS MAGNUS RUSSORUM AUTOCRATOR / VERUS IMPERII SUI AUGUSTUS.

On the reverse inscription: EXANTLATIS,/ PER QUATUOR,/ ET/ QUOD EXCURRIT,/ LUSTRA PLVSQVAM HERCULEIS,/ BELLI LABORIBUS,/ PACE NEOSTADII IN FINLANDIA/ 30 AUG: S.V. 1721/ GLORIOSISSIME,/ QUOD IPSA FATEBITUR/ INVIDIA,/ SANCITA EXOPTATAM/ ARCTOO ORBI QUIETEM/ DONAVIT.
("Having accomplished military feats, surpassing those of Hercules, over four quadrennial periods and an additional one (i.e., over 20 years), he granted the long-awaited peace to the North by concluding the sacred treaty in Nystad, Finland, on August 30, 1721 (according to the old calendar), and he did so with the greatest glory, which even envy itself will acknowledge.")
A. SCHULTZ FEC. | HAFN: D. A.

On the back of the snuffbox, enclosed within a frame of garlands, flowers, and rays of light similar to the lid, there is a noble coat of arms with an elaborate heraldic motif: a lion and a unicorn supporting or crowning a central figure beneath a crown. This type of composition could be associated with royal or noble symbolism.

Apparently not hallmarked.
23/01/2025 23:07:20
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Curiosities from European and Oriental art
Silvers, Ivories, Corals, Icons, and Wunderkammer

Palazzo Caetani Lovatelli, tue 25 February 2025
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