Snuffbox thumbnail 1
Snuffbox thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Snuffbox

1739 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Louis Métayer was one of the many goldsmiths from families who left France after the revocation of the Edit of Nantes in 1685. The Edict had provided religious tolerance for Huguenots (Protestants) living in Catholic France. Métayer and his family moved to Amsterdam, where he established himself as a goldsmith and became a citizen in 1730.

This box is chased with a scene from the Old Testament, of Rebecca at the well. Rebecca offers water to Abraham's servant and his camels. She is subsequently chosen to be the bride of Abraham's son, Isaac. The chasing may be by Louis Métayer's brother, Philippe, a leading chaser.

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

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Chased gold
Brief description
A cartouche shaped gold snuffbox, the cover set with a plaque chased with a scene of Rebecca at the Well bordered by scrolls
Physical description
A cartouche shaped gold snuffbox, the cover set with a plaque chased with a scene of Rebecca at the Well bordered by scrolls
Dimensions
  • Width: 6.1cm
  • Height: 4.6cm
  • Depth: 2.4cm
Measured 29/01/24 IW
Marks and inscriptions
  • Mark of Louis Métayer, script 'M' within script 'L, goldsmith registered in Amsterdam, 1730-1774 (In the front wall)
  • Town mark of Amsterdam until 1807 (In the front wall)
  • Date letter 'E' for 1739, Netherlands (In the front wall)
  • Control mark, Netherlands
Gallery label
Snuffbox with Rebecca at the well 1739 In the Bible, Rebecca offers water to Abraham’s servant and his camels. She is chosen to be the bride of Abraham’s son, Isaac. Amsterdam, Netherlands; mark of Louis Métayer (active 1730–74), possibly chased by Philippe Métayer (1697–1763) Chased gold Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.322-2008(2009)
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: Kenneth Davis, London.
Subjects depicted
Literary references
  • Old Testament
  • Book of Genesis
  • Bible
Summary
Louis Métayer was one of the many goldsmiths from families who left France after the revocation of the Edit of Nantes in 1685. The Edict had provided religious tolerance for Huguenots (Protestants) living in Catholic France. Métayer and his family moved to Amsterdam, where he established himself as a goldsmith and became a citizen in 1730.

This box is chased with a scene from the Old Testament, of Rebecca at the well. Rebecca offers water to Abraham's servant and his camels. She is subsequently chosen to be the bride of Abraham's son, Isaac. The chasing may be by Louis Métayer's brother, Philippe, a leading chaser.

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 reference
Truman, Charles.The Gilbert collection of gold boxes, Vol. I. Los Angeles (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) 1991, cat. no. 138, pp. 400-1. ISBN.0875871623
Other numbers
  • GB 112 - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.462 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • 1996.791.1 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • MIN 26 - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.322-2008

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Record createdJune 19, 2008
Record URL
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