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Not currently on display at the V&A

the Sacrifice of Isaac

Snuff Box
ca. 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Netherlands (made)
Germany (made)

This circular snuff box is of carved ivory and is made in ca. 1700, probably in the Netherlands by an unknown artist. The lid depicts a representation of the sacrifice of Isaac.
In the bible the story of the sacrifice of Isaac is told in Genesis 22, 1-24: To prove Abraham, God tells him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham follows this command without questioning. Shortly before he can do the sacrifice God sends an angel to stop him. Abraham then finds a ram caught in a bush nearby and sacrifices it in Isaac's stead.


Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Containers
Accessories
Object type
Snuff box
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Lid
  • Base
Titlethe Sacrifice of Isaac (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved ivory
Ivory
Carving
Brief description
Snuff Box, ivory, the Sacrifice of Isaac, probably Netherlandish, ca. 1700
Physical description
Circular snuff box with carved lid depicting a representation of the sacrifice of Isaac; on the bottom a coat of arms said to be that of Badulay, with mantling (unfinished), and a rose with two branches.

Abraham stands in the centre raising a scimitar in his right hand and with his left grasping the hair of Isaac who kneels before the pyre. On the left is a vessel containing fire, and above is the angel who grasps Abraham's sword and points to the ram below. A border of small conventional leaves surrounds the composition. The arms are barry of six, a canton ermine.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 8.8cm
  • Height: 2cm
Credit line
Given by Miss Anna Newton
Object history
Given by Miss Anna Newton, Ealing, London, a collateral descendant of Isaac Newton (1643-1727), in 1903 (as one of a group of objects, including jewellery, miniatures and drawings given by Miss Newton).
Subjects depicted
Rose
Scimitar
Vessel
Fire
Angel
Sword
Leaves
Abraham
Isaac
Summary
This circular snuff box is of carved ivory and is made in ca. 1700, probably in the Netherlands by an unknown artist. The lid depicts a representation of the sacrifice of Isaac.
In the bible the story of the sacrifice of Isaac is told in Genesis 22, 1-24: To prove Abraham, God tells him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham follows this command without questioning. Shortly before he can do the sacrifice God sends an angel to stop him. Abraham then finds a ram caught in a bush nearby and sacrifices it in Isaac's stead.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1903 - 1904. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1903, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Wyman and Sons, Limited, 1907, p. 278
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. Part II. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1929, p. 76
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, cat. no. 113
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
1637&A-1903

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Record createdNovember 25, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O175636/the-sacrifice-of-isaac-snuff-box-unknown/
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