The cut-cornered rectangular cagework snuffbox emerged as a favoured form in the 1760s. This snuffbox, dated 1781–1782, is an example of Vachette’s interpretation of the form, the cagework mounts crisply chased with entrelac-de-ruban borders and fluted pilaster side divisions. The following year, with only the slightest modifications, he replicated the design on another snuffbox mounted with Japanese lacquer panels. The tortoiseshell piqué panels are of exceptional quality; dating to the 1730s or possibly even earlier, they are executed entirely in multi-coloured gold and silver piqué point.

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