Snuffbox
In eighteenth-century Europe, Paris led the production of high-quality luxury goods. Parisian goldsmiths made a wide range of small, personal articles such as snuffboxes; étuis to hold sealing wax, tweezers, or utensils for sewing; souvenirs, which contained thin ivory tablets for note taking; and shuttles for knotting lace. Gold snuffboxes and boxes decorated with portrait miniatures were prized and frequently given as royal gifts, often to ambassadors or members of the court in lieu of cash payments for their services. Coveted and admired, these boxes were produced from a variety of materials. The best were skillfully made of gold and embellished with diamonds, enameled decoration, lacquer, and other luxurious materials. By the middle of the century, the taking of snuff had become an entrenched social ritual, and the snuffbox, too, had become an important social prop. Snuffboxes were considered highly fashionable accessories, with some merchants advertising new boxes with each change of season. The popularity of snuffboxes extended to all levels of society, and for those who could not afford gold, boxes were produced in less expensive materials such as silver, tortoiseshell, porcelain, or domestically produced lacquer.
The box is one of at least six enameled in similar fashion and dated to between 1747/48 and 1756/57. This high-relief flower enameling has been attributed to Louis-François Aubert (master 1748, died 1755), who was described after his death as goldsmith and painter in enamels to the King. None of the boxes enameled in this manner bears his signature, and identification of his work has been deduced from contemporary descriptions of his style. As one box of the group was made after Aubert’s death and therefore must be considered the product of his workshop (which survived until the death of his widow in 1758), it seems prudent to withhold a definite attribution at the present time.
The box is one of at least six enameled in similar fashion and dated to between 1747/48 and 1756/57. This high-relief flower enameling has been attributed to Louis-François Aubert (master 1748, died 1755), who was described after his death as goldsmith and painter in enamels to the King. None of the boxes enameled in this manner bears his signature, and identification of his work has been deduced from contemporary descriptions of his style. As one box of the group was made after Aubert’s death and therefore must be considered the product of his workshop (which survived until the death of his widow in 1758), it seems prudent to withhold a definite attribution at the present time.
Artwork Details
- Title: Snuffbox
- Maker: Jean-François Garand (French, master 1748, died 1778)
- Date: 1751–52
- Culture: French, Paris
- Medium: Gold, enamel
- Dimensions: Overall: 1 11/16 × 3 3/8 in. (4.3 × 8.6 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork-Gold and Platinum
- Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
- Object Number: 17.190.1232
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Mathieu Coiny fils
Jean-Baptiste Beckers
1759–60
Jean Georges (or George)
Mademoiselle Duplessis
ca. 1761–62
Daniel Govaers (or Gouers)
1734–35
Louis-Philippe Demay
1766–67
Jean Ducrollay
1753–54
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.