Snuffbox with Ulysses discovering Achilles and harbor scenes

Art Historical Context

This exquisite gold snuffbox, crafted around 1780 in Hanau, Germany—a renowned center for fine metalwork—exemplifies the opulent decorative arts of the late Enlightenment era. Attributed to the Souchay brothers (Les Frères Souchay including Marc-André and Esay), it measures a dainty 3¼ × 3⅜ inches, perfect for slipping into a gentleman's pocket. The lid features a translucent enamel miniature depicting Ulysses discovering Achilles, a dramatic moment from Homer's *Iliad* where the cunning hero unmasks the young warrior disguised among women to evade the Trojan War. Surrounding harbor scenes with ships, men, and women evoke bustling maritime life, blending classical mythology with contemporary views. The artwork's significance lies in its masterful champlevé and painted enamel techniques on gold, where powdered glass is fired into intricate cells for vibrant, jewel-like colors that withstand time. Hanau's goldsmiths, like the Souchays, catered to Europe's aristocracy, turning everyday tobacco accessories into status symbols infused with Neoclassical storytelling. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1917 by J. Pierpont Morgan, this snuffbox highlights the era's fusion of luxury craftsmanship and intellectual pursuits, inviting us to ponder the heroic tales that once amused snuff-taking elites.

About the Artist

F.S., Switzerland|Les Frères Souchay|Marc-André Souchay|Esay Souchay ( |Swiss| | ) · | |1730 |1723 – | |1811 |1791

|Swiss, active Hanau, by 1764|1730–1811|1723–1791