Box
ca. 1725 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A number of French boxes of this size and type of decoration survive from the 18th century. They are too big to have been made as part of a toilet set, which would have included small boxes with a mirror, pincushions and brushes for the top of a dressing table. These boxes were probably made for ribbons and other trinkets.
The decoration of this box is composed of veneers of brass, copper, a white metal (probably pewter) and mother-of-pearl. It is a variant of boulle marquetry, a technique that emerged in France before 1700 and derived its name from André-Charles Boulle, cabinetmaker to Louis XIV. The materials traditionally used in boulle marquetry were tortoiseshell and brass. The box features a scene of the Toilet of Venus, showing Venus attended at her dressing by playful figures of putti or cupids.
The decoration of this box is composed of veneers of brass, copper, a white metal (probably pewter) and mother-of-pearl. It is a variant of boulle marquetry, a technique that emerged in France before 1700 and derived its name from André-Charles Boulle, cabinetmaker to Louis XIV. The materials traditionally used in boulle marquetry were tortoiseshell and brass. The box features a scene of the Toilet of Venus, showing Venus attended at her dressing by playful figures of putti or cupids.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Wood (possibly oak), veneered with brass, copper, white metal (possibly pewter) and mother-of-pearl, with details in paint and ink |
| Brief description | 1720s rectangular box, veneered with brass, copper, white metal and mother of pearl |
| Physical description | A rectangular casket, with in-curved, canted corners, the hinged lid with concave lower borders. The casket is of wood (probably oak), veneered with brass, copper, white metal (possibly pewter) and mother-of-pearl, with additional decoration in paint and ink. The design on the lid shows a scene of the Toilet of Venus and the sides of the casket are inlaid with scenes of playful putti. All the edges of the casket are covered with gilt-bronze mouldings, and the casket is raised on gilt-bronze scrolled feet. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | Toilet box
Probably 1710-15
The cover of the box is decorated with the scene of the toilette of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. The box would have held equipment for grooming hair and making-up the face. It is possibly the box delivered to Louis XIV's niece, the Duchesse de Berry, by a major retailer of luxury goods in 1713.
France (Paris)
Oak and softwood; marquetry in brass, pewter, mother-of-pear and horn backed with painted paper
Decorated after two paintings by Francesco Albani(2014) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Object history | Acquired by John Jones before 1882 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | A number of French boxes of this size and type of decoration survive from the 18th century. They are too big to have been made as part of a toilet set, which would have included small boxes with a mirror, pincushions and brushes for the top of a dressing table. These boxes were probably made for ribbons and other trinkets. The decoration of this box is composed of veneers of brass, copper, a white metal (probably pewter) and mother-of-pearl. It is a variant of boulle marquetry, a technique that emerged in France before 1700 and derived its name from André-Charles Boulle, cabinetmaker to Louis XIV. The materials traditionally used in boulle marquetry were tortoiseshell and brass. The box features a scene of the Toilet of Venus, showing Venus attended at her dressing by playful figures of putti or cupids. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1053:1-1882 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | July 11, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
