Snuffers 1709 - 1714

Editor: We're looking at "Snuffers," crafted in silver by René Briceau between 1709 and 1714. It’s currently held at The Met. The piece strikes me as both elegant and functional, a little excessive, perhaps? How do you see this within the broader context of art history? Curator: That's a perceptive observation. The "excess," as you put it, is a key element of the Baroque. Think about the court of Louis XIV, the lavish displays of wealth, and how objects like these snuffers functioned within a highly stratified social order. Who was benefiting from this silver craftsmanship and who was toiling to produce it? Editor: That's a good point, easy to forget the social implications of what appears, on the surface, a purely decorative object. Was the function of these related to tobacco consumption? Curator: Precisely. Tobacco was more than just a habit; it was a commodity, and a social ritual. The very act of snuffing a candle, with a silver implement as ornate as this one, speaks to power, control, and the performance of status. These were tools intended to demonstrate power over the lower classes and access to commodities from exploited regions. It also forces us to reflect on our own relationship to consumer goods and the labor that makes them possible. Editor: So, viewing it simply as a pretty Baroque object would be missing the wider picture of power, labor, and social standing embedded in the art piece? Curator: Absolutely. The beauty of the piece becomes problematic when you consider its roots in economic and colonial exploitation. Examining decorative arts critically encourages us to think about art not in isolation, but within intersectional frameworks that address class, race, and gender. Editor: I see. This is not just a beautiful object but an artifact loaded with complex histories and power dynamics. It really makes you rethink your initial response, thank you! Curator: Indeed. By critically analyzing even seemingly mundane objects, we uncover how art is deeply entangled with social structures. Hopefully it empowers all of us to consider similar items from an economic perspective.