Snuff Box
1790-1810 (made), 1810-1820 (altered)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The adaptation of boxes for new uses is very common, and this snuff box was adapted soon after it was made to contain a miniature relief of sailing ships on a sea.
Snuff, or powdered tobacco, was widely popular throughout Europe from the 17th century. Small boxes to contain the powder were made in their thousands, with decoration varying from the most expensive ones in jewelled gold and silver, to much more modest boxes of carved or painted wood. This one is decorated in a form of painting with layers of translucent coloured varnish, known in France as vernis Martin or 'Martin's varnish'. The Martin family was granted a monopoly on their invention of a special varnish in 1730, and this type of painting is known by their name, even when it was made long after their monopoly had expired. The striped decoration is typical of boxes made between 1790 and 1810.
The miniature relief was probably added no more than ten years after it was made and, although skillfully done, it was probably the work of an amateur.
Snuff, or powdered tobacco, was widely popular throughout Europe from the 17th century. Small boxes to contain the powder were made in their thousands, with decoration varying from the most expensive ones in jewelled gold and silver, to much more modest boxes of carved or painted wood. This one is decorated in a form of painting with layers of translucent coloured varnish, known in France as vernis Martin or 'Martin's varnish'. The Martin family was granted a monopoly on their invention of a special varnish in 1730, and this type of painting is known by their name, even when it was made long after their monopoly had expired. The striped decoration is typical of boxes made between 1790 and 1810.
The miniature relief was probably added no more than ten years after it was made and, although skillfully done, it was probably the work of an amateur.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Wood with vernis Martin decoration |
| Brief description | Circular, of wood decorated with Vernis Martin, the ground of red with narrow stripes of black, the lift-off lid with a central oval showing lovers. The interior of the box, in black Vernis Martin, contains a relief model of ships on a sea, probably added a few years later by the owner |
| Physical description | Circular, with lift-off lid, decorated in vernis Martin with scene of lovers in an oval, against a striped, red ground, with gilding |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Field Gibson |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The adaptation of boxes for new uses is very common, and this snuff box was adapted soon after it was made to contain a miniature relief of sailing ships on a sea. Snuff, or powdered tobacco, was widely popular throughout Europe from the 17th century. Small boxes to contain the powder were made in their thousands, with decoration varying from the most expensive ones in jewelled gold and silver, to much more modest boxes of carved or painted wood. This one is decorated in a form of painting with layers of translucent coloured varnish, known in France as vernis Martin or 'Martin's varnish'. The Martin family was granted a monopoly on their invention of a special varnish in 1730, and this type of painting is known by their name, even when it was made long after their monopoly had expired. The striped decoration is typical of boxes made between 1790 and 1810. The miniature relief was probably added no more than ten years after it was made and, although skillfully done, it was probably the work of an amateur. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1766: 1, 2-1869 |
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 | November 7, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
