Museum – Anthropomorphic Snuffbox, Carved Wooden Shaker – Man In Uniform – Folk Art

Second half of the 19th century France An anthropomorphic snuffbox carved from fruit wood, depicting a seated male figure, dressed in a uniform reminiscent of a postman, a stationmaster, or a minor rural notable. The figure, pot-bellied and expressive, crosses its legs in a familiar, almost theatrical pose. The slightly grimacing face, the peaked cap, and the hand placed on the abdomen give the figure a good-natured authority, in a vein that is half-satirical, half-complacent. This type of snuffbox illustrates the inventiveness of French folk art in the second half of the 19th century, where the utilitarian object became a support for a portrait or caricature. The figure's soberly carved back conceals a hinged metal lid, freeing up a small compartment for snuff. The work is lively, carried out in direct carving, with particular attention paid to the rendering of the garment: the lapels of the jacket, the pleats of the trousers and the buttonhole are rendered by fine incisions. The warm patina and localized wear reinforce the lively character of this miniature sculpture. The damaged right foot attests to ancient use without harming the formal readability of the whole. A singular work, at the crossroads of everyday life and social satire, testifying to a craftsmanship that has now disappeared, and a popular view of the authority figures of the past. Condition: slightly missing from the cap and a piece of foot. Dimensions: Height: 13.5 cm Delivery: all deliveries are handled by DHL Express only.