This turned circular ivory box and lid is carved with reliefs of the Four Elements, represented by four seated women: one wearing a fur hat seated at a brazier (Fire), another blowing a horn (Air), a third, bare-breasted, with a trident and a fish (Water), and finally Europa and the bull (Earth). Four trees separate the four figures. The turned central medallion from the lid is adorned with a poorly carved image of Adam and Eve standing under the Tree of Knowledge. This is almost certainly later.

The carvings of the Four Elements are undoubtedly in the style of the Austrian ivory sculptor Balthasar Griessmann (ca. 1620-1706), and the box corresponds with other works known by him. It is difficult to date this piece precisely, as so few of the artist's works are dated, but it was probably made in the second half of the 17th century.
For many years Griessmann was known only as the Monogrammist B.G. In recent years his identity has been established by Franz Wagner, who established from documentary sources that Griessmann worked in Vienna and Salzburg, concentrating on ivory vessels and dishes, although he also worked in stone and horn. Many of his ivory relief depend from South Netherlandish engraved sources, and have a distinctive figural style, crowed with small figures, often with windswept hair, and charming genre details. He may have trained in the Netherlands.