The Wallace Collection

the long version

Of exquisite workmanship, the Wallace gold boxes share the elaborate richness of the larger-scale French 18th century art in the collection, but on an intimate and jewel-like scale. Most of the boxes were made in Paris during the 18th century and were used as snuff containers. Whilst there were boxes of this kind made in gold before 1700, it was the popularity of snuff-taking that necessitated the development of a container, which came to be of such luxurious nature that it became the most significant royal gift and the ultimate fashion accessory across the whole of 18th century Europe. Here Charles Truman, former curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, discusses the history of snuff and snuff-taking as well as the development, manufacture, decoration and collecting of gold boxes.