Snuffbox (1767–68)
Original title: Snuffbox
kurzbeschreibung
This oval snuffbox dates from 1767–68 and is the work of Jean Marie Tiron, who practised under the name Tiron de Nanteuil. Gold, enamel and diamonds make up the materials, and an enamel painting set into the lid carries a scene with several figures.
Description
The oval body of the box sits squarely before the viewer, and an enamel painting runs across the lid, with several people appearing in it. A figure in yellow robes, placed at the middle of the painted field, holds or touches a second figure. Golden and blue bands frame the motif, extended by floral patterns. The same ornaments and gilded flourishes carry on around the side walls. Even light falls on the piece, and no shadows are visible.
Context
In the second half of the eighteenth century Jean Marie Tiron, known as Tiron de Nanteuil, worked as a goldsmith in Paris. Gold and enamel snuffboxes were prized luxury goods among the nobility and the well-off bourgeoisie of the day. The piece was made at a time when finely executed miniature paintings on the lids of such boxes enjoyed high esteem.
Impact
Luminous enamel, gleaming gold and sparkling diamonds come together into a precious, showy whole. Carefully worked ornament and delicate painting give the box an elegant yet playful note.
Technique
The box is made of gold, adorned with enamel painting and diamonds. The enamel image on the lid called for a demanding technique in which the piece was fired several times. The diamonds sit in gold settings, which requires very precise handwork.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)