Snuffbox with portrait of a woman 1775 - 1776

This oval snuffbox, made in 1775-1776 by French artist Nicolas Marguerit (1763-1790), is a fine example of 18th-century goldsmithing and miniature portraiture. It is made of gold and enamel and features a delicate miniature portrait of a woman. The oval portrait is set within a decorative frame, surrounded by a border of entwined ribbon and green enamel ivy leaves. The lid of the snuffbox also has a border of elaborate goldwork, with an enamel background that depicts a floral pattern. This ornate and intricate snuffbox, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the high-quality craftsmanship and refined taste of the French Rococo period.