Snuffbox 1764 - 1765

This snuffbox was made in France in the late 18th century by Pierre-François-Mathis de Beaulieu. It's crafted from gold and enamel, and it gives us a glimpse into the social rituals and artistic tastes of the French aristocracy just before the Revolution. Snuff-taking was a popular social activity, and elaborate boxes like these were status symbols. The portrait on the lid is likely of a noblewoman, surrounded by classical motifs. These details speak to the cultural values of the time, where displays of wealth and an interest in antiquity were important. Workshops like Beaulieu’s catered to this market, and the goldsmiths' guild played a role in setting standards. To fully understand this object, we can look to period documents such as guild records, and collections inventories. These provide more details about the social world and institutional context that gave meaning to this luxurious object. Snuffboxes like these are contingent on the social and economic context of their creation and the rituals of consumption.