Mastery of Design: "The Virtue Outlives Death" Snuffbox, 1750

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The Victoria & Albert Museum

Germany’s Meissen Porcelain Factory produced a host of lavish snuffboxes of porcelain mounted in gold from about 1735-65. This example from 1750 is adorned with a coat of arms painted on the cover.  It is the arms of the Raupenstrach von Lowensburg family of Transylvania. Their Latin motto, “Virtus post funera crescit,” translates to “Virtue outlives death.”  This motto is underscored by scenes of lovers and musicians painted in the French style.

The walls and oval base are enameled with Harlequin and various gallants and their ladies while the interior of the lid shows a dancing master with a violin giving a lesson to a young girl on a terrace. The gold mount is chased with scrolls.