Patch Box
1680-1699 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In piqué work, turtle shell (known as tortoiseshell) is inlaid with tiny gold or pins (piqué point) or flat strips of gold laid in shallow grooves (posé work).
Comparatively flat, rectangular boxes such as this one were used in France to hold the beauty patches popular with the aristocracy. The blonde tortoiseshell is inlaid with finely engraved gold sheets depicting figures in classical costume. The gold sheet is lifting near the foot of the woman on the left. This is a common problem with piqué objects, as the tortoiseshell may contract or expand due to changes in temperature and humidity.
Comparatively flat, rectangular boxes such as this one were used in France to hold the beauty patches popular with the aristocracy. The blonde tortoiseshell is inlaid with finely engraved gold sheets depicting figures in classical costume. The gold sheet is lifting near the foot of the woman on the left. This is a common problem with piqué objects, as the tortoiseshell may contract or expand due to changes in temperature and humidity.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Picque, inlaid tortoise-shell |
| Brief description | Box, tortoiseshell inlaid with gold, France, late 17th century |
| Physical description | Picque, inlaid blonde tortoise-shell. Flat and oblong with hinged lid. The lid decorated with a scene showing a man in Classical armour leading a woman towards a boat containing a boatman; to the right is a woman with a basket on her head and to the left an island with buildings. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | Silver Gallery:
Comparatively flat, rectangular boxes such as this one were used in France to hold the beauty patches popular with the aristocracy. The blonde tortoiseshell is inlaid with finely engraved gold sheets depicting figures in classical costume. The gold sheet is lifting near the foot of the woman on the left. This is a common problem with piqué objects, as the tortoiseshell may contract or expand due to changes in temperature and humidity.(26/11/2002) |
| Credit line | Griffin Bequest |
| Summary | In piqué work, turtle shell (known as tortoiseshell) is inlaid with tiny gold or pins (piqué point) or flat strips of gold laid in shallow grooves (posé work). Comparatively flat, rectangular boxes such as this one were used in France to hold the beauty patches popular with the aristocracy. The blonde tortoiseshell is inlaid with finely engraved gold sheets depicting figures in classical costume. The gold sheet is lifting near the foot of the woman on the left. This is a common problem with piqué objects, as the tortoiseshell may contract or expand due to changes in temperature and humidity. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.237-1960 |
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 9, 2004 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
