Not currently on display at the V&A

Snuff box with a man in armour

Snuff Box
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
TitleSnuff 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
  • Height: 3.5cm
  • Of base diameter: 6cm
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

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Record createdFebruary 25, 2009
Record URL
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