Snuffbox
1755–56
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
H. 3.8 cm, L. 9.7 cm, D. 5.9 cm
Classification
Snuffboxes
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1537
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gold snuffbox, crafted by renowned Parisian goldsmith Jean Frémin 1755 and 1756, exemplifies the opulent world of 18th-century luxury goods. Measuring a compact 3.8 cm high, 9.7 cm long, and 5.9 cm deep, it designed to hold finely ground tobacco snuff—a fashionable indulgence among Europe's aristocracy during the Rococo era under Louis XV. Adorned with delicate floral motifs, as suggested by its tags, the box reflects the period's love for playful, nature-inspired ornamentation. Frémin, a master of the goldsmith's art, employed intricate techniques such as chasing and possibly ...