Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Type

ART-Miscellaneous

Medium

Box, Snuff

Artist

Aubert

Physical Description

Round ivory snuff box with a ballooning scene painted on ivory set into the lid. The scene represents the launch of the first small Charliere gas balloon from the Champ de Mars, August 27, 1783. A small applauding crowd is gathered, and two men are shaking hands. The hydrogen generating barrels are shown. The painting is signed 'Aubert,' and is under glass in a copper alloy frame. The box is made from multiple pieces of ivory glued together. Bands of a different shade of ivory are inset into the edges of the box. A small circle of tortoise shell is inset into the bottom of the box.

Dimensions

Overall (Dia. x W): 8.9 × 2.2cm (3 1/2 × 7/8 in.)

Inventory Number

A20140469000

Credit Line

Gift of the Norfolk Charitable Trust

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Open Access (CCO)
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.