Snuffbox with miniature depicting the return of Theseus 1781

This 1781 snuffbox, crafted by the French artist Barthélemy Pillieux, features a miniature depiction of the Greek hero Theseus returning home after slaying the Minotaur. The intricate enamel work on the box is framed by gold and a garland of laurel leaves. The scene is set in an architectural space, featuring a figure holding a scepter and a second figure in a green gown, representing Theseus's father, Aegeus, and his beloved Ariadne. The box, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the high level of artistry and craftsmanship in 18th-century French decorative art.