Snuffbox 1768 - 1769

This small, intricately crafted snuffbox, made of gold and black enamel, was created by the French artist Louis Roucel in 1768-1769. The top of the box features a detailed depiction of a rhinoceros in a landscape setting with palm trees, while the sides are decorated with smaller scenes of foliage and birds. This exquisite example of Rococo craftsmanship, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to the artistry and technical skill of 18th-century French goldsmiths.