Mennecy porcelain silver-mounted snuff box modeled as a cat and kittens, c. 1750-60

This 18th-century snuff box is crafted from fine Mennecy porcelain and finished with silver mounts. The sculptural lid of the box is elaborately modeled in the form of a mother cat with two kittens, with their coats rendered in shades of gray.

The box exterior features a molded floral spray design highlighted in enamel colors. Inside, the cover is decorated with a painted motif of scattered flowers and leaves. The piece is equipped with silver mounts that bear the Paris discharge mark, typical of high-quality French metalwork of the period. The dimensions of the snuff box are approximately 1 1/2 inches in height, 2 1/8 inches in width, and 1 1/2 inches in depth.

This object serves as an example of the whimsical figural snuff boxes produced by the Mennecy manufactory during the mid-1700s, combining functional use with intricate ceramic modeling and delicate painted porcelain decoration, reflecting the aesthetic preferences for naturalistic and animal-themed decorative arts of the mid-18th century.