Antique Papier-Mâché Snuff Box With Spotted “Tortoiseshell” Lacquer Finish, 19th Century

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This antique snuff box dates circa 1820 -1840 and is crafted in papier-mâché with a hinged lid. The surface is … Read more This antique snuff box dates circa 1820 -1840 and is crafted in papier-mâché with a hinged lid. The surface is finished in a striking mottled lacquer of black and red, a decorative effect known as vernis moucheté (spotted varnish), which was developed to imitate the costly appeal of tortoiseshell and is a fine example of the imaginative surface treatments popular in European lacquer work of the time. The interior shows honest age and use, while the exterior retains its rich spotted finish with attractive patina. Both functional and decorative, it’s a collectible object that reflects the stylish alternatives to luxury materials prized by 19th-century society.

COLLECTOR'S NOTE:
Spotted lacquer finishes such as this were sometimes nicknamed œil-de-perdrix (partridge-eye) in 19th-century decorative arts, a reference to the tiny concentric circles that resemble a bird’s plumage. The same lacquering technique was also used to imitate tortoiseshell — prized for its beauty but periodically restricted in trade, such as when Britain banned tortoiseshell imports during the Napoleonic Wars. Papier-mâché boxes finished in this mottled style offered an ingenious and fashionable substitute that quickly gained popularity across Europe.

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