Pair of Covered Jars (Pots de tabac)

c. 1779–1789

made by

Faubourg Saint-Denis

(French)

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Culture

France, 18th century

Medium

Hard-paste porcelain with enamel and gilt decoration; metal mount

Measurements

Diameter: 9.6 cm (3 3/4 in.); Overall: 14 cm (5 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

The Norweb Collection 1964.517

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Processes outlined in Simon Barbe’s 1693 Le Parfumeur Français (The French Perfumer) describe various ways to prepare snuff including the addition of scents, coloration of the powder, and several different grinding methods.

Description

Due to the discovery of the ingredient kaolin in Saint-Yrieix, France in 1768-69, European porcelain factories were able to replicate the prized hard-paste porcelain of China and Japan. In the years following, many porcelain factories opened in the area, including Faubourg Saint-Denis in 1772. These jars, sold alone or in sets, would have stored snuff, powdered tobacco meant to be inhaled, or loose tobacco for smoking.