War of 1812
War of 1812 Commemorative Snuffbox Titled "NEW ORLEANS DEFENCE" and Decorated with Battle Scene
War of 1812 "NEW ORLEANS DEFENCE" Titled Active Battle Scene Decorated Snuffbox, created circa 1815 to Commemorate Andrew Jackson's victory in the Battle of New Orleans, Fine.
Rare design round lacquered papier-mch Snuffbox, created circa 1815 to Commemorate Andrew Jackson's victory in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. This two-piece (lid and bottom) snuffbox measures about 3.5 inches across. Identified as "New Orleans Defence" in the engraved and hand-colored illustration. Condition: darkened lacquer over the image, some rim chips affecting the outer edge lid margin but does not affect the image. Old collection or museum number in white paint on the reverse bottom. The image presented here is somewhat misleading, as the American forces are dressed in French Napoleonic uniforms; however, the intent of the image is clear. Rare, we've seen only two others, one of which is in an institutional collection. The Battle scene illustration on this snuffbox was used to illustrate William C. Cook's article titled: "The Early Iconography of the Battle of New Orleans, 1815-1819" in the Winter 1989 edition of the Tennessee Historical Quarterly.