Toilet Box
ca. 1760
Medium
Lacquered metal inlaid with mother-of-pearl, copper, brass, ray skin, colored stone, gold
Dimensions
2 1/4 × 6 × 4 3/4 in. (5.7 × 15.2 × 12.1 cm)
Classification
Natural Substances
Culture
German, Dresden
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2019
Accession Number
2019.283.106a–c
Art Historical Context
Crafted around 1760 by Johann Martin Heinrici, a master artisan from Dresden, Germany, this exquisite *Toilet Box* served as a luxurious vanity case for the elite, holding cosmetics, jewelry, or personal grooming items. Measuring just 2¼ × 6 × 4¾ inches, its compact belies the opulence within, reflecting the Rococo era's love for intricate, playful luxury. Dresden, under Saxon court patronage, was a hub for such decorative arts, rivaling Meissen porcelain in finesse. Heinrici's virtuosity shines in the mixed-media construction: lacquered metal forms the base, inlaid with shimmering mother-of-...