Snuffbox 1739 - 1740

This snuffbox was made by Jacques Brillant, probably in Paris, in the early 18th century. It’s made of gold, an inherently precious material, but the real value here is in the way the gold has been worked. Consider all the chasing, engraving, and assembly required to achieve this level of refinement. The box is a showcase for the goldsmith’s virtuosity, and his ability to fashion a precious material into an object of considerable beauty. The snuffbox is a perfect example of the luxury trades in the 1700s. It speaks volumes about the social context and fashion for tobacco in the 18th century, a period of high refinement, but also great social inequality. Highly skilled makers and their workshops flourished in this period. Artisans like Brillant were essential to the burgeoning culture of aristocratic taste, and objects like this one fueled the consumer economy. By looking closely at the materials and the making, we can appreciate the full picture of a glittering object and the world that brought it into being.