Snuffbox
1769–1770
Medium
Gold and enamel
Dimensions
H. 4.1 cm, L. 8.4 cm, D. 6.4 cm
Classification
Snuffboxes
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1538
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite snuffbox, crafted by the skilled Parisian enamelist Louis Roucel around 1769–1770, exemplifies the opulent craftsmanship of late 18th-century France. Made of gold and enamel, it measures a compact H. 4.1 cm, L. 8.4 cm, and D. 6.4 cm, designed to fit neatly into a gentleman's pocket or waistcoat The enamel work, a hallmark of Roucel's, likely features intricate depictions of buildings, capturing architectural motifs that reflect the era's fascination with grandeur and. Snuffboxes like this were more than mere tobacco accessories; they were status symbols for the aristocracy duri...