Snuff box with a man in armour
Snuff Box
ca. 1750 (made)
ca. 1750 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This hinged bulbous circular snuff-box is decorated with foliate designs. On the lid is the depiction of a bust of a man in armour on a socle surrounded by trophies and cannon against a shell background. Because so much ivory was carved in Dieppe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this may be French, although it is difficult to state this with any certainty. Ivory combs, together with mirror cases, boxes and gravoirs for parting the hair, formed an essential part of the trousse de toilette or étui (dressing case) of the typical wealthy lady or gentleman in the period. The two leading cities for ivory carving were Paris and Dieppe. Luxury items, such as combs were often made in Paris, especially during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. During the seventeenth century Dieppe became increasingly significant for small-scale sculpture in ivory, perhaps because it was a port.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Snuff box with a man in armour (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Carved ivory |
Brief description | Snuff box, ivory, with a bust of a man in armour, probably France (probably Dieppe), ca. 1750 |
Physical description | This bulbous circular snuff-box, with metal hinges, is decorated with foliate designs. On the lid is the depiction of a bust of a man in armour on a socle surrounded by trophies and cannon against a shell background. The carving is poor. |
Dimensions |
|
Credit line | Given by Colonel and Mrs Frederick Dudley Samuel through Art Fund. |
Object history | Given by Colonel and Mrs Frederick Dudley Samuel through the National Art Collections Fund, together with Mus. No. A.79-1937, in 1937. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This hinged bulbous circular snuff-box is decorated with foliate designs. On the lid is the depiction of a bust of a man in armour on a socle surrounded by trophies and cannon against a shell background. Because so much ivory was carved in Dieppe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, this may be French, although it is difficult to state this with any certainty. Ivory combs, together with mirror cases, boxes and gravoirs for parting the hair, formed an essential part of the trousse de toilette or étui (dressing case) of the typical wealthy lady or gentleman in the period. The two leading cities for ivory carving were Paris and Dieppe. Luxury items, such as combs were often made in Paris, especially during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. During the seventeenth century Dieppe became increasingly significant for small-scale sculpture in ivory, perhaps because it was a port. |
Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, cat. no. 255, p. 270 |
Collection | |
Accession number | A.80-1937 |
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 | February 25, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest