Title Page and Goldsmith’s Designs for Boxes and Bottles

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Step into the opulent world of late 17th- and early 18th-century France with *Title Page and Goldsmith’s for Boxes and Bottles a captivating print by the French artist Masson. Active during this transitional era from Louis XIV's to the lighter Rococo influences of the Regency, Masson created this work as a showcase of intricate designs for luxury metalwork. The print features a title page alongside detailed patterns for ornate boxes and bottles, reflecting the era's fascination with elaborate craftsmanship in goldsmithing—a hallmark of French decorative arts. As a print medium, this artwork exemplifies how engraving and etching democratized high-end design. Goldsmiths and artisans across Europe used such printed folios to replicate sophisticated motifs, from scrolling foliage and mythical figures to gem-encrusted lids. These designs highlight the technical precision required for silver and gold objects, symbols of wealth and status at royal courts and among the elite. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Print Department—purchased by the Advisory Council—this piece offers a window into the fusion of art and industry. Though research continues, it reminds us how prints preserved and propagated the artistry of France's golden age of ornamentation, inspiring generations of makers.