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Decorative arts

Snuffbox

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Type
Decorative arts(Opens in new tab)
Date
1754-1755
Accession number
27.15
Maker
Nicolas Lancret(Opens in new tab) (French, 1690–1743)
Engraver
Goldsmith, Jean Francois Breton(Opens in new tab) (1737–1791)
After
After engraving, L'Enfance, by Nicolas de Larmessin IV(Opens in new tab) (French)
Manufacturer
Enamels by Louis Liot(Opens in new tab)
Dimensions
1 1/2 x 2 7/8 x 3 1/4 in. (3.8 x 7.3 x 8.3 cm.)
Medium
varicolored gold and enamel
Description
French gold and enamel box, Paris, 1754-5, circular, the faces engraved with diagonally radiating rays from the bases of scroll reserves and presented in pairs; herringbone rays alternating with vertical rays highlighted by three horizontal lines froming random sprigs; enamels en plein display children at play, equipment for games, and flowers with surrounding foliage in green basse-taille; 1. Children playing with walking frame (cover) 2. Children accompanying nursemaid (base) 3. Two girls playing with mask (front wall) The three presentations were adapted from the original source, L'Enfance, one of a set of four paintings, Les Ages de la Vie by Nicolas Lancret. The enamels on the box and painting are both presented in the same sense. The set of four paintings was engraved by Nicolas de Larmessin IV in the opposite sense to the paintings. Lancret painted eight of his engravings for presentation to the Academy. 4. A girl commands a dog to stand on his hind legs (rear wall) 5. A triangular House of Cards is presented on a bench draped with a pink cloth (left wall) 6. A racquet leans against a square block draped with a blue cloth, and below a shuttlecock lies on the grass (right wall)
Credit
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Department
European Art
Find out more
View in the Art Museum catalog(Opens in new tab)

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