Snuffbox
ca.1827 (assayed), ca.1825 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The term 'micromosaic' is used to describe mosaics made of the smallest glass pieces. Some micromosaics contain more than 5000 pieces per square inch. The Colosseum in Rome was one of the most popular subjects for mosaic artists and their patrons. The micromosaic on the cover was made in Rome in about 1825, while the box bears the mark of the Dublin silversmith Henry Flavelle for 1827.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Micromosaic, hardstone and chased silver-gilt |
| Brief description | Rectangular silver-gilt snuffbox set with an oval micromosaic; mosaic: Rome, ca.1825; box: Henry H. Flavelle, Dublin, 1827 |
| Physical description | A rectangular silver-gilt snuffbox, the top set with an oval micromosaic depicting the Colosseum. The mosaic is set in an oval stone band within a gold rectangular reserve chased with vases of flowers at each corner. The outer raised border of the box is further chased with floral scrolls and shell motifs. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | 6. Snuffbox with Roman Colosseum, 1825–27
Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.927-2008(16/11/2016) |
| Credit line | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
| Object history | Provenance Acquired by Arthur Gilbert from S.J. Phillips Ltd, London, 1971 |
| Production | Box: mark of Henry H. Flavelle (active 1820s-50s). Mosaic: Rome, ca.1825 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The term 'micromosaic' is used to describe mosaics made of the smallest glass pieces. Some micromosaics contain more than 5000 pieces per square inch. The Colosseum in Rome was one of the most popular subjects for mosaic artists and their patrons. The micromosaic on the cover was made in Rome in about 1825, while the box bears the mark of the Dublin silversmith Henry Flavelle for 1827. Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Other numbers |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | LOAN:GILBERT.927-2008 |
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 | June 19, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
