On display

Box

18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Snuff box, tortoise shell inlaid with gold and silver, round, plain side and base, the lid inlaid depicting a scene of a balloon ascending above two spectators with telescopes, another with a walking stick and a lady with an umbrella.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Picque, inlaid tortoise-shell, red gold
Brief description
Snuff box, tortoise shell inlaid with gold and silver, France, 1783.
Physical description
Snuff box, tortoise shell inlaid with gold and silver, round, plain side and base, the lid inlaid depicting a scene of a balloon ascending above two spectators with telescopes, another with a walking stick and a lady with an umbrella.
Dimensions
  • Height: 0.625in
  • Diameter: 2.25in
Gallery label
(26/11/2002)
Silver Gallery:
This round box is decorated with a balloon lifting off the ground and may commemorate the first hydrogen balloon ascent in 1783.
Credit line
Given by Miss D.G. Griffin
Object history
This box was possibly made to commemorate the first manned flight in a hydrogen balloon in France on 27th of August, 1783 by Jaques Charles (1746-1823) and Noel Robert. The balloon, launched in Paris, flew north for 45 minutes landing in the village of Gonesse, 21 kilometeres away.
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
M.42-1959

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 Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis.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

Record createdFebruary 9, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest