Tobacco box
mid-18th century
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of C. Gustave Mourraille in memory of his sister, M. Mathilde Mourraille
Accession Number
1957-121-4
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant tobacco box, dating to the mid-18th century hails from an era when tobacco—fresh from the booming plantations of colonial America—became a fashionable staple across Europe and the New World. Classified as metalwork, it exemplifies the skilled craftsmanship of the time, where artisans fashioned small, portable containers for snuff or pipe tobacco. These boxes were not just practical; they served as personal accessories, often carried by gentlemen in pockets or waistcoats, reflecting social customs and the era's growing indulgence in tobacco culture. Though the artist and exact med...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...