Snuff box, 18th century (414:1522-1885)

Snuff box, enamel on copper, transfer-printed in purple and painted in polychrome enamels with Le Matin, after a painting by Nicolas Lancret. The painting on the lid, which is enclsed by raised gilt rococo scrollwork, depicts a lady in her boudoir pouring out tea for a priest who sits opposite to her at a small table; a maid stands by a dressing table in the background to the right holding a lace collar.

On the sides and bottom are four small printed subjects painted over in colours, all enclosed by scrollwork, with dotted diaper between them raised gilding; four of these subjects are printed on pl. 32 of The Ladies' Amusement. They represent (1) two gentlemen and a lady angling, one standing, the others seated; (2) a gentleman and lady reclining against a tree stemp; (3) a girl dancing before a gentleman who sits on a rock with another playing a fiddle behind him; (4) (on the bottom of the box) a sportsman with gun and pointer.

The fifth print of a shepherd and shepherdess with two goats is based on Pensent-ils au raisin by Boucher. The box is of wavy oblong form, with a chased gilt metal mount.