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Tobacco Box (Netherlands)
This is a Tobacco box. It is dated mid-18th century and we acquired it in 1957. Its medium is brass. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.
Tobacco box
Netherlands, mid-18th century
Brass
Gift of C. Gustave Mourraille in memory of his sister, M. Mathilde Mourraille,
1957-12-4
Label refers to a grouping of 1957-121-4 and 1966-6-4-a/h)
Sailboats, possibly alluding to Christopher Columbus's travels to the New World--where he was offered dried tobacco leaves as a gift from the American Indians--in 1492, decorated both of these tobacco boxes. The practice of inhaling snuff, a powdered preparation of tobacco used for inhalation, quickly spread across Europe upon Columbus's return. The first tobacco boxes, such as the brass example here, were small, as tobacco was a costly commodity.
In Japan, smoking was widespread among both men and women by the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868). As a sign of relaxation and welcome, smoking trays played an important role in Japanese hospitality. This exquisite example is decorated with gold raised lacquer (takamakie). Production of these boxes ceased at the end of the nineteenth century, when cigarettes became fashionable and virtually replaced pipe smoking.
This object was
donated by
C. Gustave Mourraille.
It is credited Gift of C. Gustave Mourraille in memory of his sister, M. Mathilde Mourraille.
Its dimensions are
H x W x D (closed): 3.5 x 12 x 7 cm (1 3/8 x 4 3/4 x 2 3/4 in.)
It has the following markings
Both the interior of the box and the lid are marked: "VIII"
It is inscribed
On lid: inscription.
Cite this object as
Tobacco Box (Netherlands); brass; H x W x D (closed): 3.5 x 12 x 7 cm (1 3/8 x 4 3/4 x 2 3/4 in.); Gift of C. Gustave Mourraille in memory of his sister, M. Mathilde Mourraille; 1957-121-4
