This hinged silver snuff box is shaped like a shell. Its hinged long side is flattened but, otherwise, it’s curved into an elongated scalloped form. The lid is covered with intricate silverwork. There are six separate scenes: five of them radiate in wedge shapes around a central scene that follows the overall shape of the box. The five outer scenes are divided by parallel diagonal lines formed into groups of two or three ridges. Each scene is densely packed with plant and animal life interacting with human figures: humans cavort with a squirrel, bathe, play an instrument, or pick fruit. The central scene shows three humans running toward a tree on the left. The center figure catches hold of the smallest figure closest to the, who is on their knees. The silver is worn so the figures are all largely undefined but the figure farthest from the tree appears to be a woman wearing a billowing skirt. Inscribed (lid, inside): Thistle(?) between F and M
Unknown
Snuff Box (?),
before 1924
Silver
Object details
Accession number
M18n47
Primary Creator
Unknown
Full title
Snuff Box (?)
Creation Date
before 1924
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Marks
Inscribed (lid, inside): Thistle (?) between F and M
Display Media
Silver
Web Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.
Permanent Gallery Location
Little Salon
Rights and reproductions
The use of images, text, and all other media found on this website is limited. Please review Rights and Reproductions for details.
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.