Snuff Box
ca. 1720-1740 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Snuff boxes were a vital dress accessory in 18th century Europe and sophisticated owners boasted boxes in the latest fashions. A complex etiquette surrounded the taking of snuff, which was a preparation of tobacco for inhaling through the nostrils.
The lid and base of this snuff box is made from dark tortoiseshell inlaid with gold, possibly in imitation of Japanese lacquerwork. The sides are silver-gilt. The decoration on the lid is made with fine inlaid gold wires, a technique called hairwork.
The lid and base of this snuff box is made from dark tortoiseshell inlaid with gold, possibly in imitation of Japanese lacquerwork. The sides are silver-gilt. The decoration on the lid is made with fine inlaid gold wires, a technique called hairwork.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Tortoiseshell, silver-gilt and gold |
| Brief description | Snuff box, silver-gilt and tortoiseshell inlaid in fine wire, with sprays of flowers with insects and birds, England or France, ca. 1720-1740 |
| Physical description | Snuff box, silver-gilt and tortoiseshell inlaid with gold. Flat with a hinged lid. Serpentine front, flat back and roounded ends. The sides and rim of the lid silver-gilt, the top and bottom are tortoiseshell. Decoration inlaid in fine wire, consists of sprays of flowers with insects and birds. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Silver Gallery:
The decoration on the lid is entirely made up from fine inlaid wires called hairwork. Such hairwork occurs on Parisian boxes of the mid-1760s. The sides and rim of this box are silver-gilt and only the top and bottom are tortoiseshell.(26/11/2002) |
| Credit line | Griffin Bequest |
| Object history | Acquisition RF: 60/2897 Griffin Bequest |
| Production | England or France |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Snuff boxes were a vital dress accessory in 18th century Europe and sophisticated owners boasted boxes in the latest fashions. A complex etiquette surrounded the taking of snuff, which was a preparation of tobacco for inhaling through the nostrils. The lid and base of this snuff box is made from dark tortoiseshell inlaid with gold, possibly in imitation of Japanese lacquerwork. The sides are silver-gilt. The decoration on the lid is made with fine inlaid gold wires, a technique called hairwork. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.269-1960 |
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| Record created | February 9, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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