An Unusual English Erotic Snuff Box
An Unusual English Erotic Snuff Box
The finely painted gouache on vellum depicting an aroused Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
The plain black lacquered papier mache exterior with a tortoiseshell interior lining that secretly unscrews to reveal the hidden erotic scene
In fine condition
Circa 1810 – 1820
Size: 8.5cm dia., 2.5cm high – 3¼ ins dia., 1 ins high
The finely painted gouache on vellum depicting an aroused Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
The plain black lacquered papier mache exterior with a tortoiseshell interior lining that secretly unscrews to reveal the hidden erotic scene
In fine condition
Circa 1810 – 1820
Size: 8.5cm dia., 2.5cm high – 3¼ ins dia., 1 ins high
See: Finch & Co catalogue no. 12, item no. 17, for an example of a French erotic box
Today it is well known that sexual customs and conventions vary widely between different cultures and what appears commonplace to one may be deeply offensive to another, but to the Victorians of the 19th century sex was regarded as shameful and any work of art ancient or modern deemed to be erotically exciting was suppressed. Thus art, which made use of erotic motifs, like this snuffbox, for the purpose of sexual stimulation, was hidden and often kept in secret collections of erotica.
Today it is well known that sexual customs and conventions vary widely between different cultures and what appears commonplace to one may be deeply offensive to another, but to the Victorians of the 19th century sex was regarded as shameful and any work of art ancient or modern deemed to be erotically exciting was suppressed. Thus art, which made use of erotic motifs, like this snuffbox, for the purpose of sexual stimulation, was hidden and often kept in secret collections of erotica.
An Unusual English Erotic Snuff Box
SOLD
