Snuffbox in the form of a rat 1740 - 1750

This is a porcelain snuffbox, crafted in the form of a rat, by the Meissen Manufactory. Snuffboxes were a popular accessory among the upper classes, but this one is unique. Rats were often seen as pests, carriers of disease, and symbols of the lower classes. What does it mean to elevate such a creature to the level of art, to be handled and admired? Perhaps it's a commentary on the shifting social landscape of the time, or a hidden critique of the aristocracy's own excesses. The rat is perched on a delicate cushion adorned with flowers, a juxtaposition that further complicates its meaning. Are the beautiful people protecting themselves from ugliness or are they one and the same?