Box
1763-4 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This snuff box is whole-heartedly neo-classical in its use of ornament derived from classical architecture and in its treatment of the subject of love. The box is oval and is mounted with oval and circular scenes, each of which is framed in a laurel wreath. On the lid and base a band of guilloche ornament completes the decorative scheme. A band of egg moulding runs around the side of the lid. A number of the figures are seen in profile as they might be on a classical gem. The altars, the ewers, and, not least, the superb goat's head tripod, which parallels a fashionable piece of French furniture, known as an athénienne, are all classical in origin.
The box was made (or at least begun) in 1763-4. An early Paris design for a neo-classical snuff box is dated 1759 (see V&A museum no. E.897:30-1988), and by 1763 the Baron de Grimm reported that the expectation was that a box would be neo-classical in design (see V&A museum no. 916-1882).
Louis-Claude Porcher was baptised in 1737. His address is known until 1791. The name of Roucel on the bezel indicates that the box was sold by, and probably made to the order of, Louis Roucel, goldsmith to the king, who was admitted as a master of the goldsmiths' guild by royal privilege in 1763, the year this box was made.
The box was made (or at least begun) in 1763-4. An early Paris design for a neo-classical snuff box is dated 1759 (see V&A museum no. E.897:30-1988), and by 1763 the Baron de Grimm reported that the expectation was that a box would be neo-classical in design (see V&A museum no. 916-1882).
Louis-Claude Porcher was baptised in 1737. His address is known until 1791. The name of Roucel on the bezel indicates that the box was sold by, and probably made to the order of, Louis Roucel, goldsmith to the king, who was admitted as a master of the goldsmiths' guild by royal privilege in 1763, the year this box was made.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Enamelled, chased and engraved gold |
| Brief description | Oval gold box with enamelled scenes on the subject of Love by Louis-Claude Porcher, Paris, 1763-4 |
| Physical description | Oval varicoloured gold box, chased and engraved, and mounted with polychrome enamel plaques representing the Altar of Love and related subjects. Around each of the scenes is a chased green gold laurel border. On the lid and on the base, outside the laurel border, is a band of chased guilloche ornament. Around the side of the lid is chased a pattern of egg moulding. Enamel scenes. 1. Lid: Two women at an altar with a goat's head tripod to one side. 2. Side, front: seated woman making a garland of flowers. 3. Side, right: two doves and a garland with an incense burner. 4. Side, back: crouching woman with incense burner and classical ewer and basin to the left. 5. Side, left: altar, axe, classical ewers and basin. 6. Base: two figures at an altar with classical ewers. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Object history | Bequeathed with the Jones Collection to the South Kensington Museum, and accessioned in 1882. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This snuff box is whole-heartedly neo-classical in its use of ornament derived from classical architecture and in its treatment of the subject of love. The box is oval and is mounted with oval and circular scenes, each of which is framed in a laurel wreath. On the lid and base a band of guilloche ornament completes the decorative scheme. A band of egg moulding runs around the side of the lid. A number of the figures are seen in profile as they might be on a classical gem. The altars, the ewers, and, not least, the superb goat's head tripod, which parallels a fashionable piece of French furniture, known as an athénienne, are all classical in origin. The box was made (or at least begun) in 1763-4. An early Paris design for a neo-classical snuff box is dated 1759 (see V&A museum no. E.897:30-1988), and by 1763 the Baron de Grimm reported that the expectation was that a box would be neo-classical in design (see V&A museum no. 916-1882). Louis-Claude Porcher was baptised in 1737. His address is known until 1791. The name of Roucel on the bezel indicates that the box was sold by, and probably made to the order of, Louis Roucel, goldsmith to the king, who was admitted as a master of the goldsmiths' guild by royal privilege in 1763, the year this box was made. |
| Bibliographic reference | Catalogue of the Jones Collection Part II.-Ceramics, Ormolu, Goldsmiths' Work, Enamels etc.. London: Board of Education, 1924. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 921-1882 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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