Box of the Dutch West India Company

attributed to Jean Saint (c. 1698-after 1769), gold, tortoiseshell, 1749

Stadholder William IV received this box in 1749 as the new administrator of the Dutch West India Company (WIC). The decorations on the box refer to the WIC’s activities: trade in gold, ivory, and people. To the left of the man with the elephant tusk is a European. He is giving money to another man who is pointing to two adults and a child. This is one of the few known depictions of the slave trade.

  • Artwork typebox
  • Object numberNG-NM-824
  • Dimensionsheight 5.8 cm x length 18.0 cm x width 11.9 cm x weight 614 gr
  • Physical characteristicsgoud, schildpad, fluweel (interieur)