This snuff-box is recorded in the inventory of Mayer Carl von Rothschild house in Frankfurt on the Untermainkai in the Yellow Room (Gelb Saal) as 'Ovale gold. emaill. Dose, Fond grün mit ausgesparten Goldrosetten und sechs Grisaille-Emaillen, Lange 8 1/2 cm., Breite 6 cm.' [Oval gold. enamel. Box, green background with recessed gold rosettes and six grisaille enamels, length 8 1/2 cm., width 6 cm.]

Charles Le Bastier embraced early on the fashion for miniatures painted en grisaille sometimes refers to as 'en camaieu' which had started to appear on gold boxes in the 1760s following the growing interest in archaeological excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The earliest recorded examples of such miniatures in the 1760s are those of Melle Duplessis often featuring cherubs in the taste of François Boucher. The six grisaille scenes set on this box are reminiscent of frescoes of Roman daily life scenes showing a woman getting dressed, one playing the lyre or a piper. Their simplicity of design are very much in the style of the frescoes featured in Pompeii and surrounding cities.