SHELL-SHAPED SNUFFBOX
Creator(s): Unknown (Jeweler)
About this object
The shape of the hinged box is the simplified outline of a cockleshell. Both the top and the bottom are covered in mother-of-pearl. An applied vase at the cover's center holds flowers in gold with petals enameled in white and pink and leaves in green. Four floral swags in gold and enamel surround this, and four shells carved in gold define the cardinal points. Applied rosettes in gold alternate with dots in green and red enamel to enliven the outer band. At the center of the box's bottom is an applied gold shell surrounded by geometric designs resembling garden parterres in green and red enamel alternating with gold and enamel whorls in relief. Bands of strapwork in translucent green enamel are interspersed with acanthus motifs in white and gold on the sides.
- Object name:
- SHELL-SHAPED SNUFFBOX
- Made from:
- mother of pearl -- gold -- enamel
- Made in:
- Paris, France
- Date made:
- 1722-1727
- Size:
- 1 × 2 1/4 × 2 1/2 in. (2.5 × 5.7 × 6.4 cm)
Detailed information for this item
- Catalog number:
- 11.1
- Class:
- GOLD
- Signature marks:
- MARKS Crowned G (warden's mark for Paris 1723), a dove (discharge mark for Fermier General Charles Cordier 1722-27) [to the right of the thumbpiece on inner rim]; a double owl (mark for gold imported from countries without customs conventions with France since 1893) [in the rim]
- Credit line:
- Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973