Snuffbox, 1756

The scalloped box, with a straight reverse, has a hinged lid. The bottom is surrounded by a moulded rim. Set within it is a plate embossed with an asymmetrical fantasy structure composed of volutes and decorated with rocailles and foliate scrolls. In the structure stands an asymmetrical vase from which a floral garland descends, held up by a young boy seated on the ground with a flower basket. The wall of the box follows a gentle S-curve and is embossed on all sides with asymmetrical, irregularly shaped compartments containing depictions on a matted ground. The compartment on the front, with a rocaille of volutes and leaf buds in the centre below, shows two rabbits in a landscape with buildings and further fruits and flowers. That on the back shows two sheep in a similar landscape; to the left is a second, narrower compartment following the contour of the large one, with a foamy rim and flowers. On both sides, two compartments with flowers and fruits, each with a small compartment with a scale pattern in the lower right corner. The compartments on the right and left sides largely correspond. The lid has a moulded rim with an upright, scalloped thumbpiece at the front, embossed with a rocaille and volutes. Set within the rim is a plate embossed with the scene of Mars going off to battle and taking leave of Venus, while Cupid tries to restrain him. In the background, priestesses look on, standing by a colonnade. The frame is composed of C-volutes with rocailles and flowers, interrupted in the centre of the top by a female head with knotted braids. Plain gold plates are fitted to the underside of the plates in the bottom and lid. The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-1968-64; its record gives material recorded as gold (metal); measurements height 4 cm x width 8.1 cm x depth 6.8 cm x weight 184 g. Description translated from the museum's Dutch catalogue text; details are those of this museum object, and how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.