Snuff Box (Tabatière) (Cleveland Museum of Art 1957.406)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1777–78
This box’s black and white design imitates a rare type of agate patterned with black veins that look like the branches of a tree or aquatic plant. Enamel that simulated agate was popular around 1775–80, evoking an 18th-century French interest in natural curiosities, mineralogy, and botany.
Charles Le Bastier himself made at least seven boxes using this motif between 1775 and 1779. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1957.406: Snuff Box (Tabatière), 1777–78. Charles Le Bastier (French). Gold and enamel; overall: 2 x 3.4 cm (13/16 x 1 5/16 in.). Inscribed: [Warden's mark for Paris, 1778-1779, inside box on bottom, inside cover, inside on front wall]; [Discharge mark of Jean-Baptiste Fouache, Paris, 1774-1780, on neck]; [Engraved inside box on bottom, probably a modern inscription]: "947"; [Charge mark of Jean-Baptiste Fouache, Paris, 1774-1780, inside box on bottom; inside cover; inside on front wall]; [Maker's mark of Charles Le Bastier, master goldsmith in 1754, inside box on bottom; inside cover; inside on front wall].
Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 4
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Not only did the design of a snuff box carry important social and political implications, proper snuff taking etiquette, outlined in 18th-century publications, also communicated status.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold and enamel
- Dimensions
- Overall: 2 x 3.4 cm (13/16 x 1 5/16 in.)
- Measurements
- Overall: 2 x 3.4 cm (13/16 x 1 5/16 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold and enamel
Design
- Inscriptions
- [Warden's mark for Paris, 1778-1779, inside box on bottom, inside cover, inside on front wall]; [Discharge mark of Jean-Baptiste Fouache, Paris, 1774-1780, on neck]; [Engraved inside box on bottom, probably a modern inscription]: "947"; [Charge mark of Jean-Baptiste Fouache, Paris, 1774-1780, inside box on bottom; inside cover; inside on front wall]; [Maker's mark of Charles Le Bastier, master goldsmith in 1754, inside box on bottom; inside cover; inside on front wall]
Identification
- Date recorded
- 1777–78
- Culture period
- France
- Maker recorded
- Charles Le Bastier (French)
- Museum attribution
- Charles Le Bastier (French)
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1957.406
- Museum classification
- Enamel
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm maker, marks and date against decorative-arts references.