Double snuffbox 1771 - 1772

This double snuffbox was made by Melchior-René Barré in France sometime before his death in 1791, presumably from gold. Small luxury items like snuffboxes were common among the elites of 18th-century Europe, who were devoted to displaying their social status. Looking closely, we see the surface is decorated with scenes of classical ruins. Interest in the art of antiquity was at its height and these images conveyed the owner’s refined taste. The manufacture of such items occurred within a guild system, supervised by the state. Artisans like Barré were part of a complex network of workshops and retailers catering to the desires of the aristocracy. This system maintained standards of craftsmanship but also reinforced social hierarchies. Snuffboxes were not simply aesthetic objects, but potent symbols of economic and political power. To fully understand this object we would need to know more about Barré's career and the specific social circles in which his work circulated. By consulting historical records and guild archives, we can reveal the dense web of social relations embedded in this seemingly simple object.