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Source Description
In the 1700s ornately enameled boxes became a popular accessory in the French court. These boxes often held powdered tobacco, called snuff. However, this box, which is unhinged, likely held powder, rouge, or face cream. Pageantry and performance were important aspects of social interaction during this period. The extravagant designs and associated functions of these boxes communicated social and political status.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
134848
label
Powder Box (Poudrier)
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
134848
contentType
object
title
Powder Box (Poudrier)
description
In the 1700s ornately enameled boxes became a popular accessory in the French court. These boxes often held powdered tobacco, called snuff. However, this box, which is unhinged, likely held powder, rouge, or face cream. Pageantry and performance were important aspects of social interaction during this period. The extravagant designs and associated functions of these boxes communicated social and political status.
date
1779–80
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q80027543
creators
12158
genreSpecific
Miscellaneous
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Diameter: 1.8 x 5.5 cm (11/16 x 2 3/16 in.)
cul
France, 18th century
accession
1957.403
Source extras
tec
enamel on gold
tombstone
Powder Box (Poudrier), 1779–80. Jean-Joseph Barrière (French). Enamel on gold; diameter: 1.8 x 5.5 cm (11/16 x 2 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. Edward B. Greene, 1957.403
collection
Decorative Arts
inscriptions
inscription
[Maker's mark of Jean-Joseph Barrière, master goldsmith in 1763, bottom; exterior wall; inside cover]: "JJB"
inscription
[Warden's mark for Paris, 1779-1780, exterior wall]
inscription
[Discharge mark of Henry Clavel I, Paris, 1780-1782, exterior wall]
inscription
[Counter-mark of Henry Clavel I and Jean-Francois Kalendrin, Paris,1782-1789, exterior wall]
inscription
[Restricted warranty mark for gold, Paris, exterior wall]
inscription_remark
Gold works made before 1838 were submitted to control when they were put on sale
inscription
[Three illegible marks, bottom]
inscription
[Three illegible marks, cover]
didYouKnow
Jean-Joseph Barrière received his designation of master goldsmith in 1763, a coveted title that required candidates to complete a lengthy apprenticeship followed by a test of skill.
creditline
Gift of Mrs. Edward B. Greene
updatedAt
2026-05-29 06:53:19.240000
sourceId
134848
dept
Decorative Art and Design
coll
Decorative Arts
med
enamel on gold
creatorTags
male
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
5b6e1ade71da7e6f