Differents desseins de Tabatières, et pomme de canne, cinquième planche [Different Designs for Snuff Boxes and a Cane Handle, 5th Plate], pl. 53 in Oeuvre de Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier (1695–1750), a Franco-Italian architect, designer, and engraver, was a leading figure in the exuberant Rococo style of 18th-century France. Born in Turin, he moved to Paris around 1714, where his intricate, asymmetrical designs captivated the aristocracy. This etching, titled *Differents desseins de Tabatières, et pomme de canne, cinquième planche* (Different Designs for Snuff Boxes and a Cane Handle, 5th Plate), is plate 53 from his seminal publication *Oeuvre de Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier*, issued posthumously in 1748. It exemplifies his mastery of ornamental prints, which served as pattern books for goldsmiths and silversmiths crafting luxury accessories. The plate showcases a series of elaborate designs for snuff boxes—small, ornate containers for powdered tobacco popular among the elite—and a decorative cane handle. Meissonnier's Rococo motifs burst with scrolling foliage, fantastical shells, and playful curves, blending fantasy with technical precision. These engravings were revolutionary, disseminating his innovative ideas across Europe and influencing decorative arts from furniture to architecture during the opulent Age of Louis XV. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection (purchased by the Advisory Council), this work highlights the intersection of fine art and everyday luxury. Though research continues, it offers a window into how design elevated personal objects into status symbols, inviting us to appreciate the whimsy and skill of Rococo ornamentation.