Description:
Circular two-part snuff box, base has swelled sides and flat bottom, lid is a circular disk; painted on the sides in polychrome over glaze enamels with two scenes in reserves of rocks, flowers, and a bird, painted on the lid with an interior scene of a woman at a table with two young boys, one boy is looking at a dog, there is a moon door to a garden on the right hand side, on the interior is an aquatic landcape scene with a man in a boat painted entired in pink or puce color, on the bottom are two fruits with foliage, the porcelain pieces are held together with gilt metal mounts, there appear to be ghost images of Meissen style gilt borders on the lid and sides which are now rubbed off; Delicately painted Chinese scenes on the cover and in the interior of the cover, decorate this snuff box; inspired in part by Meissen examples, the design of this precious object required careful coordination among the China Trade merchant who ordered it, the Chinese potters and painters who made the porcelain body and cover; and the European metalsmiths who crafted the ormolu mounts that hold the box together. Snuff is powdered tobacco that is inhaled through the nostrils, was popular in the 18th century. Snuff-taking was an important social ceremony among the aristocracy, and finely decorated snuff boxes of gold, silver, and porcelain, or other materials were a necessary accessory for any stylish gentleman or lady. Etiquette manuals instructed readers to offer their open snuff boxes to others before partaking themselves, giving ample opportunity for the workmanship on the box to be admired, which is no doubt why they are so lavishly decorated, especially on the interiors. Formerly TEMP115.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2005.804 |
