Luxe de Poche: our photos of the very, very chic exhibition at the Musée Cognacq-Jay

Luxury craftsmanship in the spotlight! The Musée Cognacq-Jay invites you to discover its latest exhibition, Luxe de Poche, from March 29 to September 29, 2024. More specifically, the Parisian museum invites visitors to plunge into the fascinating world of fashionable boxes, snuffboxes, cases and other small luxury items that marked the 18th century.

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The exhibition takes visitors on a journey back in time, to discover the jewels and precious objects that contributed to the culture of appearances and social distinctions at the time. Snuffboxes, fly boxes, flasks, cases, kits, chatelaines, drageoirs... Objects that aroused the enthusiasm of Europe's elite during the Age of Enlightenment. From goldsmiths' workshops to exchanges (heirlooms, diplomatic gifts, New Year's gifts...), we delve into the history of these objects, which appealed to all social classes (not just the wealthiest).

Visitors can admire a collection of 260 pieces, testifying to the virtuosity of the finest silversmiths of the time. These objects, true masterpieces of craftsmanship, stand out for their richness and inventiveness. Imagine gold boxes enriched with hard or precious stones, cases covered in mother-of-pearl, porcelain or translucent enamels, and even artistically crafted miniatures. Each piece reflects the extravagance and refinement of this sumptuous period.

Among theexhibition's curiosities, certain objects stand out for their originality and ingenuity. A miniature pistol is transformed into a perfume atomizer, a wax case takes on the appearance of a porcelain asparagus, and a sucker is transformed into a carved agate dromedary. These creations testify to the extraordinary creativity of 18th-century goldsmiths and craftsmen such as Joseph-Étienne Blerzy, Paul-Nicolas Ménière and Johann-Christian Neuber, to name but a few.Ernest Cognacq's collection, presented in this exhibition, rivals in quality those of the greatest institutions, including the Musée du Louvre.

A fine window on the social rituals of the 18th-century elite. Each object, through its history and design, tells a part of the social and cultural history of the period. An invitation to explore a little-known but captivating aspect of the history of art and luxury. Shall we head off to the Musée Cognacq-Jay?

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