Etui/Spy Glass
1760-1785
Medium
Decorative Arts
Classification
Decorative Arts
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly
Accession Number
1929.8.245.70
Tags
About this artwork
The art of painting on enamel flourished in England during the second half of the eighteenth century. A French jeweler, Jean Toutin, had developed a new technique for painting on enamel, in which a gold base was covered first with white enamel, then painted with a design. This craft soon spread to England, where it was adopted by jewelers and goldsmiths. Their intricately painted boxes and curios were fashionable with the wealthy, who often bought them as souvenirs from their travels. Popular it...
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Etui/Spy Glass* from 1760-1785 exemplifies the flourishing art of enamel painting in late 18th-century England. Crafted as a decorative yet functional accessory—likely a lady's compact case housing a small magnifying glass or spyglass—it reflects the era's blend of luxury and utility. Popular among the wealthy elite, such items were prized souvenirs from travels, doubling as conversation pieces in fashionable drawing rooms. The technique originated with French jeweler Jean Toutin, who revolutionized enamel work by layering a gold base with white enamel before adding intricate ...
About the Artist
Unidentified ( ) · –