Oval tobacco box decorated on the exterior with polychrome low relief scenes representing "Ganymede ravished by Jupiter in the form of an eagle".

The mythological episode, drawn from Ovid's Metamorphoses, is described with reference to exhibit nr. 153.

Rather striking is the depiction of Ganymede, who sits astride the eagle with his arms outstretched, almost as if to enhance its soaring flight, so that the entire scene bears a greater resemblance to a triumph rather than a ravishment.

We would point out that an analogous interpretation of the scene is to be found on a sixteenth-century plate from Urbino, designed for grand banquets (roughly 1540).

The lid of the snuff-box is likewise decorated with a low relief scene, in this case depicting Minerva who has set down her shield and long spear and is seated in a landscape engaged in writing, attended by a hand-maid. Minerva represents the splendor of eternal wisdom, peace-loving and profound knowledge.

This could lead to the hypothesis that the snuff-box was commissioned by/for a man of letters.

The interior of the lid displays a small Chinese scene in the manner of Hoeroldt, which may conceivably have been painted by Karl Anreiter himself or by one of his best pupils. (G.T.)