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A set of four carved corozo* snuffboxes depicting Emperor Napoleon I in various situations, a type of work sometimes referred to as "pontoon" (sailor's or convict's work), dating from the 19th century. The first box shows Napoleon seated on the figure of the mythological dolphin, holding a lyre. On the second, he is seated before a trained dog, with a cornucopia behind him.
On the third snuffbox, he appears more discreetly in a framed bust; the main scene was occupied by a naked woman, her leg stretched towards a small table. Finally, on the last box, Napoleon is accompanied by a muse, Clio; he dictates his memoirs to posterity, the final act of his exile on Saint Helena.
These four snuffboxes, each in their own way, contribute to the construction of the Emperor's myth, oscillating between imperial propaganda and a hint of satire (particularly in the case of the one with the naked woman). This is entirely in keeping with the atmosphere of the time (early 19th century).
These snuffboxes are in their original condition and will need to be restored.
