Snuffbox 1705

This snuffbox was created in the 18th century by John Obrisset, likely in London, from tortoise shell and silver. Look closely and you will see the shell has been meticulously carved with a portrait in profile. Tortoiseshell is a fascinating material; it could be heated and pressed into molds, but also carved like wood or stone. The fashion for it reflected the expansion of global trade, and the exploitation of natural resources, like exotic shells. Obrisset was a master of this prized material, as snuff became a fashionable habit among the moneyed classes. The image on the lid elevates the object, offering the user an aesthetic experience along with their pinch of tobacco. Consider the amount of work involved in the production process, from sourcing the materials to the labor of crafting. Everyday items like this one challenge our conventional definitions of ‘art’ versus ‘craft,’ showing how much artistry could go into even the smallest of objects.