Snuffbox
This box is a brilliant example of enamel decoration on gold. The oval scenes on the lid, sides, and base are created by enameling directly on the flat gold surface, the process known as en plein. In contrast, much of the translucent green enamel that surrounds the scenes is applied to small areas of the gold that have been engraved or carved away, the technique referred to as basse taille. The quality of both types of enameling is extremely high and is likely the work of a specialist. Frequently the goldsmith who produced a box turned to another artisan when a highly specialized type of decoration, such as enameling or the incorporation of lacquer, was required.
The scenes decorating the lid and the underside of this box are based on works by the French painter François Boucher (1703–1770). The enameler has copied Boucher’s painting Pensent-Ils au Raisin? (Nationalmuseum, Stockholm) for the scene on the lid, and La Poésie Pastorale (known only through etchings) for the one on the underside. Prints after these and other paintings by Boucher were widely disseminated and served repeatedly as compositional models for enamelers and porcelain painters. Scenes after Boucher were among the most popular types of decoration on French decorative arts of all media in the mid-eighteenth century.
The scenes decorating the lid and the underside of this box are based on works by the French painter François Boucher (1703–1770). The enameler has copied Boucher’s painting Pensent-Ils au Raisin? (Nationalmuseum, Stockholm) for the scene on the lid, and La Poésie Pastorale (known only through etchings) for the one on the underside. Prints after these and other paintings by Boucher were widely disseminated and served repeatedly as compositional models for enamelers and porcelain painters. Scenes after Boucher were among the most popular types of decoration on French decorative arts of all media in the mid-eighteenth century.
Artwork Details
- Title: Snuffbox
- Maker: Noël Hardivillers (French, master 1729, died 1779)
- Artist: Scenes after paintings by François Boucher (French, Paris 1703–1770 Paris)
- Date: 1753–54
- Culture: French, Paris
- Medium: Gold, enamel
- Dimensions: 1 1/2 × 3 1/16 × 2 5/16 in. (3.8 × 7.8 × 5.9 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork-Gold and Platinum
- Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1976
- Object Number: 1976.155.5
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Noël Hardivillers
1754–55
Noël Hardivillers
1728–30
Mathieu Coiny fils
Jean-Baptiste Beckers
1759–60
Jean Georges (or George)
Mademoiselle Duplessis
ca. 1761–62
Daniel Govaers (or Gouers)
1734–35
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.