Snuffbox 1760 - 1761

This snuffbox was made by Charles Le Bastier in the 18th century from gold and tortoiseshell. Le Bastier was a master of piqué work – that’s the technique of inlaying precious materials into another, to create intricate surface designs. Tortoiseshell has a beautiful translucent quality and warmth. Its dark color allowed Le Bastier to create a striking contrast with the delicate gold inlays. He likely softened the tortoiseshell with heat, pressing the gold threads into the surface to create each design. Note the architectural scene on the lid, and the island landscape on the box’s sides. The amount of work involved is considerable. Snuffboxes like this were luxury items, and their production supported entire workshops of artisans. The meticulous labor that went into creating them speaks to the status of both the maker and the owner. Objects like this are a reminder that even the smallest, most decorative items have a connection to the wider social world of labor, materials, and consumption.