Silversmith by the name of Marguerite - c. 1800-02
Napoléon was an active man who constantly fiddled with personal possessions. One can imagine him taking this box for tobacco powder out of his pocket and stroking it during meetings with his ministers. His principal antidotes to stress were inhaling pinches of snuff and sucking on anise flavored liquorice. This box was probably a present from Joséphine.
Historical Provenance - Josèphine Bonaparte family through Prince Eugène
