2-839-775 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Snuff box with ballooning scene, late 18th century. The scene represents the launch of the first small Charliere gas balloon from the Champ de Mars in Paris, 27 August 1783. A small applauding crowd is gathered, and two men are shaking hands. The hydrogen generating barrels are shown. Round ivory snuff box with a ballooning scene painted on ivory set into the lid. 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.