Snuffbox

Maker Nicolas Lancret (French, 1690 - 1743)

Additional Title(s)

Tabatière

ClassificationsDECORATIVE ARTS

Date1754-1755

Mediumvaricolored gold and enamel

Dimensions1 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 3 1/4 in. (3.8 x 7.3 x 8.3 cm.)

DescriptionFrench gold and enamel box, Paris, 1754-5, circular, the faces engraved with diagonally radiating rays from the bases of scroll reserves and presented in pairs; herringbone rays alternating with vertical rays highlighted by three horizontal lines froming random sprigs; enamels en plein display children at play, equipment for games, and flowers with surrounding foliage in green basse-taille; 1. Children playing with walking frame (cover) 2. Children accompanying nursemaid (base) 3. Two girls playing with mask (front wall) The three presentations were adapted from the original source, L'Enfance, one of a set of four paintings, Les Ages de la Vie by Nicolas Lancret. The enamels on the box and painting are both presented in the same sense. The set of four paintings was engraved by Nicolas de Larmessin IV in the opposite sense to the paintings. Lancret painted eight of his engravings for presentation to the Academy. 4. A girl commands a dog to stand on his hind legs (rear wall) 5. A triangular House of Cards is presented on a bench draped with a pink cloth (left wall) 6. A racquet leans against a square block draped with a blue cloth, and below a shuttlecock lies on the grass (right wall)

Signed1. Maker 2. Charge of Julien Berthe 1750-56 3. Date letter O for 1754-55 on the inside lid, base and front wall 4. Illegible mark on the outside bezel front right

MarkingsGold case: Bezel Outer rim, right side: 1. Discharge mark, sous-fermier Julien Berthe (Oct 19, 1750-1756), une petite tete de poule, rubbed [Nocq, IV, 235] Interior lid and base, centers; and interior front wall, center right: 1. Goldsmith's maker's mark, unidentified, partially rubbed, fleur de lys couronnee, deux grains, lettre J, une etoile. Evidence of two additional flattened letters within outline 2. Crowned date letter "O" Warden's mark, July 13, 1754-55 [Nocq, IV, 217] 3. Charge mark, sous-fermier Julien Berthe (Oct 10, 1750-56), une tete de boeuf [Nocq, IV, 235]

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

Not on view

Object number27.15