Étui 1785 - 1786

This is an "Étui", a small case, made in France, around the late 1700s, from ivory, gold, and possibly enamel by Toussaint-François Pillieux. The creation of such a luxurious, but ultimately practical object speaks volumes about the culture of the time. France, on the eve of its revolution, was marked by extreme social inequality. The aristocracy, who would have commissioned such items, enjoyed lives of incredible luxury, while the vast majority of the population lived in poverty. Looking closely, one can see the delicate floral motifs and refined craftsmanship, visual markers of wealth and status. These would have been instantly recognizable to contemporaries. Such items of conspicuous consumption helped to reinforce social hierarchies. Understanding the history of objects like this "Étui" involves delving into economic records, social histories, and studies of courtly life, allowing us to comprehend the complex interplay between art, power, and society.