This is an early—very late 18th or very early 19th century—French lacquered papier-mâché snuff box, and quite an amazing and amusing one, too, which I can find no match of out there anywhere. The text at bottom reads “ La Charge d’un Mari ou le Fardeau du Menage, translating to “the burden of the husband or the burden of the household”—meaning, essentially, what a lot of demands this fellow carries on his back, his wife, with two fingers raised behind his head, foremost among them! Among the demands surrounding his head: memoire (remember, or I think perhaps better translated as 'don't forget to pay'!) the jeweler, the shoe maker, the lingerie maker, etc…. Essentially a “honey do” joke a la 1800!
3 3/8" diameter x 3/4" t. Damage to the exterior of the bottom of the box, not visible unless you turn it over; the lid is in very good antique condition with just very minor losses, crisp and clear. Some wear to the lacquer around the edges on the sides.
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