Snuffbox 1771 - 1772

This snuffbox was made by Pierre Bidault in the eighteenth century, a period when Europe was swept up in enthusiasm for tobacco. It’s made of gold and silver, precious materials reflecting the high social status of its owner. Consider the sheer labor involved in creating this object, now appreciated as a work of art. The decoration is intricate: note the fine detail in the central medallion on the lid, surrounded by radiating ornament. And the delicate vertical ribbing, which encircles the box. All of this was achieved by highly skilled artisans. But here’s the rub: these makers were essentially anonymous. While Bidault’s name survives, we know little about the other hands involved in creating this exquisite object. The snuffbox stands as a reminder of the complex relationship between craft, consumption, and social status in the eighteenth century.