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

Snuffbox

ca. 1740 (made), ca. 1650 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The scene on the lid shows a triton carrying the nymph Amphitrite. It derives from an engraving by Louis Surugue of a painting by Charles Antoine Coypel (1694-1752). The body of the snuffbox is made from an earlier enamelled watchcase decorated with scenes from Heliodorus' Aethiopica. Based on the illustrations produced for a French translation of the ancient Greek romance, the scenes tell the story of the love of Theagenes and Chariclea. The snuffbox was probably made in London about 1740; the watchcase in Blois, France, about 1650.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde amassed 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 and enamelled gold, with painted enamel
Brief description
Circular, gold and enamelled snuffbox, formed from an enamelled watchcase; snuffbox: probably London, ca. 1740; watchcase: Blois, ca. 1650
Physical description
A circular gold and enamelled snuffbox, with the body formed from an earlier enamelled watchcase. It is painted with scenes of Theagenes and Chariclea from the tale Aethiepica by Heliodorus, which was translated into French in 1625 by Jean de Montlyard. The enamelled panels are mounted in gold chased with scrolls and flowers and the gold in turn has been enamelled with flowers and foliage in opaque and translucent colours. The hinged cover is similarly decorated and is set with an enamel plaque of Triton, son of Poseidon, carrying his mother Amphitrite, goddess of the sea.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 4.4cm
  • Height: 3.2cm
Measured 19/02/24 IW
Marks and inscriptions
No marks
Gallery label
2. Watchcase, 1650, converted to a snuffbox, about 1740 Museum no. Loan:Gilbert.319-2008
Credit line
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Object history
Provenance: Christie's, Geneva, November 12, 1985, lot 46.
S.J. Phillips, London
Production
The snuffbox was probably made in London about 1740; the watchcase was made in Blois, France, about 1650.
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceTheagenes and Chariclea from Heliodorus' <i>Aethiopica</i>
Summary
The scene on the lid shows a triton carrying the nymph Amphitrite. It derives from an engraving by Louis Surugue of a painting by Charles Antoine Coypel (1694-1752). The body of the snuffbox is made from an earlier enamelled watchcase decorated with scenes from Heliodorus' Aethiopica. Based on the illustrations produced for a French translation of the ancient Greek romance, the scenes tell the story of the love of Theagenes and Chariclea. The snuffbox was probably made in London about 1740; the watchcase in Blois, France, about 1650.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde amassed 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
  • Habsburg-Lothringen, Géza von. Gold boxes from the collection of Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert. R. & A. Gilbert, 1983. 125 p., ill. Cat no. 13, p. 39. ISBN. 0961039809.
  • Truman, Charles.The Gilbert collection of gold boxes, Vol. I. Los Angeles (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) 1991, cat. no. 97, pp. 286-7. ISBN.0875871623
  • Gold boxes : from the Gilbert collection : an exhibition 44
Other numbers
  • GB 17 - Arthur Gilbert Number
  • 1996.384 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • 1996.791.1 - The Gilbert Collection, Somerset House
  • MIN 26 - Arthur Gilbert Number
Collection
Accession number
LOAN:GILBERT.319-2008

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Record createdJune 27, 2008
Record URL
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