Snuffbox with miniature depicting the return of Theseus 1781

This snuffbox with miniature depicting the return of Theseus, was made by Barthélemy Pillieux. The box itself is made of gold, while the miniature is painted with enamel. Both materials speak to the rise of conspicuous consumption in the 18th century. Gold, of course, has always been precious. However, the technique of enameling had only recently been perfected in Europe. These are not traditional fine art materials; they are the materials of the luxury trades. Consider how much work went into this tiny object. First, the gold had to be mined, purified, and formed. Then the box had to be fabricated and the miniature painted with painstaking detail. Each stage would have involved a highly skilled artisan, working long hours. This snuffbox is a testament to the power of materials and making to communicate social status. It’s a reminder that even the smallest objects can tell us big stories about labor, class, and consumption.