Is Snuffbox under copyright?

No, this artwork is in the public domain.

What is the thematic context of Snuffbox?

goldsmithing luxury parisian taste, social ritual status symbol art, decorative object craftsmanship showcase

Purchase a copy of Snuffbox

Home
Print on canvas
Jean Formey
Snuffbox

Buy Painting

Buy Image

Send

WhatsApp
Telegram
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Reddit

Link copied!

Details

Add to favorites Remove from favorites

Snuffbox

Painting
Other
Rococo
1757
4.0 x 8.0 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Discover Jean Formey's exquisite 18th-century snuffbox painting, featuring vibrant fruit arrangements on a pink and gold decorated box; bring this Parisian luxury home.

Discover Jean Formey: Master French goldsmith & enameler (1728-1797). Explore exquisite 18th-century works, including snuffboxes & jewelry. Admired for detail & quality.

Giclée / Art Print

Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options.

Buy Painting

Buy Image

Medium
Size
Frame
Options

Print on Cotton Glossy Canvas

Print on Matt Cotton Canvas

Print on Matt Paper

Print on Paper with Frame and Glass

Canvas Rolled in a tube Free

Stretched

Framed

Framed with Antique Wood Gesso

White $1

Blurside $1

Extended $1

P118B $10

P118H $10

P118W $10

P438Z $10

P508JH $12

P508YH $12

P805H $10

P805Z $10

P919BZ $10

P919G $10

P919XJ $10

P959ZH $10

P968JZ $12

W106C $8

W218G $10

W218JH $8

W218Y $10

W307PJ $10

W316G $10

W316PJ $8

W316Y $10

W398PJ $8

W4111J $10

W500HY $15

W500JH $15

W692G $12

W849H $8

W940BG $15

W953PJ $8

H24-GOLD $40

H24-SILVER $40

H36-GOLD $60

H36-SILVER $60

Framed

Description from JS

Standard custom

Standard

custom

CM INCH

INCH

Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.

choose size

Loading sizes...

width

height

You may enter your own dimensions to fit a specific frame or space. If your selected size does not match the original image's proportions, we will either crop the artwork or extend the image with a mirrored or solid-fill edge. A digital mockup will be sent for your approval before production begins.
Please note that the on-screen preview does not reflect the actual cropping or extension. Only the mockup will accurately show the final composition.
While custom sizes are available, we recommend selecting a dimension from the predefined list to preserve the original proportions.

No Glossy Varnish

Add Glossy Varnish (enhances colors, protects against light/moisture) + $15

No Artwork Nameplate

Engraved bronze plaque displaying artist name and translated painting title. Size: 9x2 cm. + $10

Transparent acrylic plaque with black UV-engraved artwork informations and QR code. Size: 10x15 cm. + $30

Black acrylic plaque featuring white engraved text with artwork informations and QR code. Size: 10x15 cm. + $30

Engraved Bronze Plaque Details

This elegant plaque features the artist's name and the title of the artwork, finely engraved for a timeless presentation.

It is made from bronze with a refined, elegant finish. The text is precisely laser-engraved for a sharp and permanent result. Measuring 9x2 cm, the plaque is compact yet easy to read. It's built to be durable and scratch-resistant, offering a professional, museum-quality look. Mounting is simple thanks to the included adhesive backing.

Transparent Acrylic Plaque Details

The plaque includes essential engraved details such as the artist's name, the title of the artwork, the date it was created, the type of media used-like oil on canvas or watercolor-a brief description of the piece, and a QR code that links to the complete artwork information.

It is crafted from clear acrylic, offering a sleek, modern appearance. The text is UV-engraved in black to ensure strong visual contrast. With a size of 10x15 cm, it ensures optimal readability. It comes equipped with two metal hooks for secure wall mounting. The plaque is designed to be weather-resistant, making it suitable for various environments, and it includes interactive features that work seamlessly with smartphone scanning.

Black Acrylic Plaque Details

This elegant plaque includes engraved information such as the artist's name, the title of the artwork, the date it was created, the type of media used (like oil on canvas or watercolor), a short description of the artwork, and a QR code for quick access to more information.

The plaque itself is made from refined black acrylic with a premium finish. The text is laser-engraved in white for high contrast and readability. Its size is 10x15 cm, designed to be easy to read. It comes with two metal hooks for professional mounting. The design is sleek and fits any interior style. It is also weather-resistant and durable, with built-in digital integration for mobile compatibility.

Need It Urgently? + $30

Worldwide Delivery () in 2 weeks instead of standard 4/5 weeks. (11 July)

Free Worldwide Express Shipping

High-Quality Linen Canvas

Full Shipping Insurance

Customs Tax Refund Guarantee

True Color Matching Guarantee

60-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Bulk Discount Offer

-

ExclamationCircle Glass option is only available in size under 110 CM

Snuffbox

Giclée / Art Print

Reproduction Size

-

Reproduction Frame

-

ExclamationCircle For artworks or reproductions larger than 105 cm (approximately 41 inches) on any side, the frame will be shipped as a ready-to-assemble kit. This method ensures safe delivery and prevents damage during transport.

All solid wood bars are included, precisely cut to size.
Easy to assemble using the provided screws - no glue needed.
Assembly guide included; setup takes under 10 minutes with a standard screwdriver.

Important:
Tightening the canvas on the assembled frame may require a canvas stretching plier tool, which is not included in the kit. This tool helps ensure proper tension and a professional finish.

Nameplate

-

Protective Varnish

Glossy Varnish (enhances colors, protects against light/moisture)

-

Urgent

Delivery in less than 3 weeks instead of standard 4/5 weeks. No compromise on quality.

-

Express Shipping

Worldwide Delivery () in 4/5 weeks. (18 July).

Included

Total Price

-

Quick Facts

Notable elements or techniques: Gold trim, enamel decoration
Medium: Painting (depicting goldsmith work)
Title: Snuffbox
Year: 1757
Artist: Jean Formey
Dimensions: 4 x 8 cm

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:

What type of luxury item is the artwork titled 'Snuffbox' depicting?

A sewing kit

A small container for holding snuff

A note-taking souvenir

Question 2:

In what European city was the production of high-quality luxury goods, like those featured here, particularly prominent in the eighteenth century?

London

Paris

Rome

Question 3:

According to the photo description, what materials are artistically arranged inside the snuffbox alongside a cup?

Jewels and enamelwork

Various fruits such as apples, oranges, and bananas

Feathers and exotic woods

Question 4:

Jean Formey was renowned for his expertise in which two artistic fields?

Painting and sculpture

Goldsmithing and enameling

Carving and painting miniatures

Question 5:

What was the social significance of owning a decorated snuffbox during this period?

It was only used by royalty for ceremonial purposes.

It became an important and highly fashionable social prop.

Its value depended solely on the rarity of the wood it was made from.

Collectible Description

In eighteenth-century Europe, Paris led the production of high-quality luxury goods. Parisian goldsmiths made a wide range of small, personal articles such as snuffboxes; étuis to hold sealing wax, tweezers, or utensils for sewing; souvenirs, which contained thin ivory tablets for note taking; and shuttles for knotting lace. Gold snuffboxes and boxes decorated with portrait miniatures were prized and frequently given as royal gifts, often to ambassadors or members of the court in lieu of cash payments for their services. Coveted and admired, these boxes were produced from a variety of materials. The best were skillfully made of gold and embellished with diamonds, enameled decoration, lacquer, and other luxurious materials. By the middle of the century, the taking of snuff had become an entrenched social ritual, and the snuffbox, too, had become an important social prop. Snuffboxes were considered highly fashionable accessories, with some merchants advertising new boxes with each change of season. The popularity of snuffboxes extended to all levels of society, and for those who could not afford gold, boxes were produced in less expensive materials such as silver, tortoiseshell, porcelain, or domestically produced lacquer.

Related Artworks

Jean-Antoine Watteau

Three Studies of a Young Woman’s Head

Jean-Antoine Watteau

Head of a Woman, Turned Three-Quarters to the Right

Paul Cézanne

Flowers in a Rococo Vase

Jean-Honoré Fragonard

Blindman's Buff

joseph etienne blerzy

Snuffbox with portrait of Catherine II (1729–1796), Empress of Russia

$Commode\n\n(3/4 Right) — Jean-françois Oeben$

jean-françois oeben

Commode\n\n(3/4 right)

jean ducrollay

Double snuffbox

jean-joseph barrière

Snuffbox with portrait of a man, probably Prinz Karl von Sachsen (1733–1796)

jean-baptiste pillement

A decorative plate, french rococo art

jean jacques lagrenée (lagrenée le jeune)

Le Buste De Louis Xvi Presente Par La Justice

Artist Biography

early life and career

jean formey, a french artist born in paris in 1728, is renowned for his exquisite work as a master goldsmith and enameler. formey's early life is marked by his apprenticeship, which he completed before becoming a compagnon at the gobelins between 1741 and 1754. he officially became a master in paris on july 17, 1754, under the sponsorship of antoine-lazare clérin.

artistic style and notable works

formey's work is characterized by its high quality and attention to detail, making him highly sought after by collectors and museums worldwide. his expertise in goldsmithing led to his appointment as prime warden in 1778, a testament to his respected position within the goldsmiths' corporation.

tabatière d'époque louis xv en or de quatre couleurs: a stunning example of formey's work, this oval-shaped snuff-box features panels of musical trophies on scalework ground, surrounded by laurel leaf borders. (view on ArtsDot: [https://ArtsDot.com/@/jean-formey](https://ArtsDot.com/@/jean-formey))
boîte à double ouverture en or de louis xv: this double-opening box, also attributed to formey, showcases his mastery of vari-colored gold. (view on ArtsDot: [https://ArtsDot.com/art.nsf/o/a@d3aujm](https://ArtsDot.com/art.nsf/o/a@d3aujm))

museums and collections featuring formey's work

formey's pieces can be found in various museums, including the musée du petit palais (france), which houses an impressive collection of artworks from different periods. (discover more about musée du petit palais on ArtsDot: [https://ArtsDot.com/@@/a@d3aujm](https://ArtsDot.com/@@/a@d3aujm))

legacy and influence

jean formey's legacy as a master goldsmith and enameler continues to inspire artists and collectors alike. his work, characterized by its exceptional quality and attention to detail, remains a significant part of france's rich artistic heritage.

view more of jean formey's artworks on ArtsDot: [https://ArtsDot.com/@/jean-formey](https://ArtsDot.com/@/jean-formey)
explore the musée du petit palais collection on ArtsDot: [https://ArtsDot.com/@@/a@d3aujm](https://ArtsDot.com/@@/a@d3aujm)

conclusion

jean formey's remarkable career as a master goldsmith and enameler has left an indelible mark on the world of art. through his exquisite pieces, he continues to captivate audiences, offering a glimpse into 18th century france's rich artistic landscape.

Jean Formey

1728 - 1797 , France

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Goldsmithing & Enamelwork
Date Of Birth: Paris, France (1728)
Date Of Death: 1797
Full Name: Jean Formey
Nationality: French
Notable Artworks:
- Tabatière d'époque Louis XV en or de quatre couleurs
- Boîte à double ouverture en or de louis xv
Place Of Birth: Paris

18th Century Masters: 10 Artworks That Define an Era | ArtsDot

Jean Formey: The Full Collection

Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.

Popular

Collectible Description

Artist Biography

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Frame

White $1

Blurside $1

Extended $1

P118B $10

P118H $10

P118W $10

P438Z $10

P508JH $12

P508YH $12

P805H $10

P805Z $10

P919BZ $10

P919G $10

P919XJ $10

P959ZH $10

P968JZ $12

W106C $8

W218G $10

W218JH $8

W218Y $10

W307PJ $10

W316G $10

W316PJ $8

W316Y $10

W398PJ $8

W4111J $10

W500HY $15

W500JH $15

W692G $12

W849H $8

W940BG $15

W953PJ $8

H24-GOLD $40

H24-SILVER $40

H36-GOLD $60

H36-SILVER $60

Framed

Reproduction Size

Protective Varnish

Nameplate

Engraved Bronze Plaque Details

Transparent Acrylic Plaque Details

Black Acrylic Plaque Details

Urgent Production

Included Benefits

Free Worldwide Express Shipping

High-Quality Linen Canvas

Full Shipping Insurance

Customs Tax Refund Guarantee

True Color Matching Guarantee

60-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Bulk Discount Offer

Total Price

-

Summary

Giclée / Art Print

-

Reproduction Frame

-

Nameplate

-

Protective Varnish

-

Urgent

-

Express Shipping

Included

Total Price

-

Quick Facts

Art Quiz

Collectible Description

Related Artworks

Artist Biography

early life and career