Early 19th Century French Coquilla Nut Snuff Box, Boat Form With Horse & Grotesque Mask

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Description

A finely carved French snuff box dating Circa 1820 worked from coquilla nut in the whimsical form of a boat. … Read more A finely carved French snuff box dating Circa 1820 worked from coquilla nut in the whimsical form of a boat. The lid is intricately carved with a charioteer driving a chariot with 2 horses against a mountainous backdrop, a motif drawn from Neoclassical taste and evoking triumph, speed, and vitality. The reverse features a shield-like escutcheon with cross-hatched ground and fluted details, framed by foliate ornament. The prow is particularly striking: a grotesque mask or figurehead face with inset glass eyes, open mouth, and foliate “ears,” blending mythological whimsy with nautical symbolism. Leafy borders complete the design, emphasizing the naturalistic character of the carving. Snuff boxes in boat form were highly fashionable novelties in early 19th century France, and this example, with its blend of mythological, heraldic, and foliate decoration, demonstrates both skill and imagination.

Collector’s Note
The grotesque mask at the prow—rooted in both Classical and folk tradition—was thought to ward off misfortune, giving this coquilla nut snuff box both symbolic and protective meaning. The box also reflects how artistry lived not only in great monuments but also in the small, personal objects people carried every day.

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