Snuff Box 1818 - 1819

This snuff box was made by A.J.S. sometime between 1741 and 1812. It is made from gold, enamel, diamond and glass. In the 18th century, snuff-taking was a widespread social ritual among the elite. The elaborate decoration of this box, along with the embedded portrait, speaks to the significance of social rituals in that era. The portrait suggests the importance of military achievement and aristocratic identity in Europe at this time. These kinds of items were luxury commodities, and they speak to the growth of mercantile capitalism, as well as the beginnings of the colonial system. With a piece like this, the art historian will ask: how did these precious materials come to be here? What was their economic, political, and social role? These are the kinds of questions about social structures, cultural values, and global trade that we can ask of any artwork.