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Snuffbox with a Scene of Venus and Cupid

1781–82
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 951
No charge mark for gold and small silver work was registered at the outset of the new tax farm in 1781, although this was corrected two years later. Boxes made in the interim were struck with the mark seen on this box. The fashion for boxes that accommodated other media in their design encouraged the production of miniatures on vellum, ivory, or enamel from which the goldsmiths or retailers could choose. The randomness of subject matter is indicated by 106 such miniatures sold from the Cottin collection in 1752, which included royal and anonymous portraits; genre, landscape, and allegorical scenes; pastoral and biblical subjects; and birds.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Snuffbox with a Scene of Venus and Cupid
  • Artist: Joseph Etienne Blerzy (French, active 1750–1806)
  • Date: 1781–82
  • Medium: Gold and enamel
  • Dimensions: H. 2.7 cm, L. 8.3 cm, D. 6 cm
  • Classification: Snuffboxes
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.1544
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Sealing wax case (étui), Joseph Etienne Blerzy French, Gold, enamel, French, Paris
Sealing wax case (étui)
Joseph Etienne Blerzy
1783–84
Snuffbox with theatrical scenes of a rope dancer and a puppet show, Joseph Etienne Blerzy French, Gold, enamel; vellum, French, Paris
Snuffbox with theatrical scenes of a rope dancer and a puppet show
Multiple artists/makers
1778–79
Box with portrait of a whippet, Joseph Etienne Blerzy French, Gold, ivory, glass, French, Paris
Box with portrait of a whippet
Joseph Etienne Blerzy
Jean-Baptiste Isabey
late 18th century
Snuffbox with miniature of Hercules, Omphale and Cupid, Joseph Etienne Blerzy French, Gold, enamel, French, Paris
Snuffbox with miniature of Hercules, Omphale and Cupid
Joseph Etienne Blerzy
1789–90
Snuffbox with miniature depicting a classical subject, Joseph Etienne Blerzy French, Gold, enamel, French, Paris
Snuffbox with miniature depicting a classical subject
Joseph Etienne Blerzy
1784–85

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