Snuffbox 1735 - 1745

Curator: Upon first glance, there's a distinct air of delicate fanciness to this object, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely. I am immediately struck by the elaborate detail on such a small scale. Curator: Indeed. What we're looking at is a porcelain snuffbox, crafted by the Saint-Cloud factory between 1735 and 1745. You can currently find it here at The Met. Editor: The butterfly on the lid... Butterflies often symbolize transformation, rebirth, or even the soul. Do you think that imagery resonated with the elite snuff users of the time? Curator: It’s probable. During the Rococo period, these boxes weren't mere containers, they served as extensions of identity, displaying wealth and taste. The butterfly aligns with the era’s preoccupation with ornamentation. But to have such an intricate, decorative piece be a receptacle for tobacco… it speaks volumes about class and privilege. Editor: And notice the other, subtle botanicals worked in? Little blossoms of wealth, so to speak? It reflects a desire to bring nature and beauty even to an everyday ritual. Were pieces like this commonly commissioned? Curator: Saint-Cloud was famed for their soft-paste porcelain; they certainly catered to the tastes of the French aristocracy. Mass production didn’t exist as we understand it today, and yet Saint-Cloud managed to scale quite successfully. While not exactly commonplace, these ornate snuffboxes were an emblem of status circulating in the circles of power. Editor: So, it’s both an artwork and an artifact reflecting its culture. It is always remarkable how utilitarian objects become imbued with potent symbolism. To think such a delicate piece survived centuries, acting as this sort of time capsule. Curator: It does make you consider what other stories such small objects hold, waiting to be discovered.