Une tabatière rocaille pour Cleveland
The Cleveland Museum of Art has acquired a rare gold and lapis-lazuli snuffbox (tabatière) by the Rococo master Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier, dated 1728-1729. The box, which bears Meissonnier's hallmark and the coat of arms of Marie-Anne de Neubourg (widow of King Charles II of Spain), was likely made for her during her long exile in Bayonne. It will be a centerpiece of the museum's upcoming exhibition "Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier: Rococo Goldsmith in Focus," opening in October.
This acquisition is significant because the snuffbox is the only known work bearing Meissonnier's hallmark, making it a key reference for his oeuvre. The Cleveland Museum is positioning itself as the premier repository of Meissonnier's work, and the object's royal provenance adds historical depth. The exhibition, however, will only be shown in Cleveland, limiting its international visibility.