Snuifdoos van goud, ovaal, met op het deksel een herdersscène in émail, op de wanden spelende putti

About this artwork

goud in vijf kleuren en email

Art Historical Context

This exquisite oval gold snuffbox, crafted by goldsmith Jean Ducroll around 1758–1759, exemplifies the opulence of mid-18th-century French luxury goods. Measuring just 4.2 cm high and weighing 251 grams, it designed for the aristocracy's discreet indulgence in powdered tobacco snuff—a fashionable social ritual among Europe's elite. Ducrollay a master of the Rococo style, showcases his skill in working gold across five distinct colors and finishes, creating a shimmering, jewel-like surface. The lid features a delicate enamel scene of shepherds in an idyllic pastoral landscape, evoking the romantic Arcadian fantasies popular in Rococo art. Flanking the sides are playful putti—chubby, mischievous cherubs—rendered in translucent enamel and chased gold, adding whimsy and movement. Enameling, a labor-intensive technique involving fired glass powders, allowed for vibrant, durable colors that captured light beautifully. As a status symbol, this snuffbox reflects the era's extravagance under Louis XV, when goldsmiths like Ducrollay supplied Versailles and private collectors. Its intricate Rococo motifs of nature and frolic highlight the period's shift from Baroque grandeur to elegant playfulness, making it a tiny treasure of cultural refinement.