Oval gold and enamel snuff box, the hinged cover mounted with an oval enamel plaque, painted with a scene of Mars and Venus with the infant Cupid. The box with a blue guilloché enamel ground, divided by chased gold borders.

The tale of the god of war, Mars, being tamed by the goddess of love, Venus, was a popular one in art from the Renaissance onwards. The presence of the infant Cupid, the god of love, in this scene adds to the symbolism of love disarming the strong. The subject was often associated with betrothal and the box may originally have been intended as an engagement gift.