Tobacco box

tobacco box, rectangular with rounded ends, of copper with hinged brass cover and soldered brass bottom; top stamped with three medallions: a profile portrait of Louis XIV of France, a coat of arms, and a profile portrait of Maria Theresa; maker's name, Giese, stamped at left of center medallion; bottom of box stamped with views of a seaport before and after destruction and name 'Lissabon'; separating these two views a figure of Poseidon riding upon a wave; below each scene is a two-line poetic inscription and at the upper right of Poseidon the slightly effaced name of maker Giese; this scene probably refers to the earthquake and tidal wave that destroyed Lisbon in 1755