Snuff Box: Portrait of Duchess of Marlborough c. 1775

This small, intricately crafted snuff box by Nicolas André Courtois, dating to c. 1775, features a miniature portrait of the Duchess of Marlborough on its lid. The portrait, set against a red, draped background, is painted in enamel, a technique that uses powdered glass fused onto a metal surface. The box itself is crafted from gold and decorated with intricate floral motifs and geometric patterns, showcasing the high level of craftsmanship characteristic of 18th-century French goldsmithing. The Art Institute of Chicago houses this miniature treasure, a testament to the artistic trends and social customs of the period.