Snuffbox 1768 - 1769

Charles Le Bastier created this silver snuffbox sometime in the 18th century. Snuff, or powdered tobacco, became popular among the European elite. Snuffboxes, like this one, were more than mere containers. They were statements of wealth and status, and often incorporated imagery alluding to classical antiquity. This snuffbox is decorated with garlands and classical figures. It’s a reflection of the neoclassical tastes of the time. France was a rigidly stratified society. The aristocracy consumed luxury goods like this to reinforce their social position. The decorative arts are too often relegated to the margins of art history. But as social historians we can glean insights into the values and beliefs of past societies through everyday objects. Auction catalogs, inventories, and other archival materials can provide valuable information about who owned such objects, and how they were used and valued.