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Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes For Sale
19th Century Box with Brass Plaque
Located in Toronto, CA
Rectangular 19th century box with an oval brass plaque without engraving.
The exterior has been re-polished over time. It has a nice warm patina. The int...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Mahogany
Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer Cuspidor
Located in New Orleans, LA
This intriguing Chinese zhadou is intricately carved of fine cinnabar lacquer. A work of exceptional artistry, this covered bowl is adorned with an intricately carved floral motif on all surfaces, including the cover and the wide rim. Also known as a cuspidor or spittoon, this rare container would have been used by members of the imperial family and scholar- officials at the court. Carved during the Kangxi period (1662-1722), this charming piece exhibits the high detail and charm associated with items from that period, making it a true treasure,
Early 18th century (Kangxi dynasty)
Measures: 6 ¼” wide x 3 ¼” high
Cinnabar has been revered for its color all over the world. It has been found in the royal burial chambers of the Mayas, in the rituals of India, and in the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome. In China, cinnabar and gold were the two most important elements in alchemy. Mined since the Neolithic Age, cinnabar is the ore of mercury, and as such, it can be incredibly toxic, especially when mining. In fact, during the Roman Empire, miners at Spain’s Almadén mine in Spain were frequently exposed to mercury fumes, and the subsequent, often fatal, sickness was considered an occupational hazard.
The most popular known use of cinnabar is in Chinese carved lacquer-ware, a technique that is believed to have originated in the Song Dynasty, in which cinnabar is ground to a powder and added to clear lacquer. As with mining, there was inherent danger of mercury poisoning for those who carved the lacquer, as mercury was also released into the air when artisans ground the pigments. Most antique cinnabar...
Category
18th Century Chinese Other Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
19th Century Sterling Silver Snuffbox Birmingham 1848 by Rolason Bros
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely little sterling silver snuffbox, fully hallmarked with gold plated interior.
Lovely chasing on lid and sides, classic high Victorian repousse w...
Category
Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Hollywood Regency Brass Box with Faux Ivory Tusk or Horn
Located in Houston, TX
Hollywood Regency brass box with faux ivory tusk or Horn.
Handsome Hollywood Regency brass box with faux ivory tusk or Horn. Our stunning Karl Springer ...
Category
1960s Indian Hollywood Regency Vintage Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Brass
Louis XV Gold & Lacquer Snuff Box
Located in New York, NY
Louis XV gold & lacquer snuff box
Circa Paris, France 1760/1761
With the Charge and Decharge Marks of Eloy Brichard 1756 - 1762
Circular Gold-lined bo...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Gold
Louis XVI Gold Snuff Box, Circa 1778
Located in Paris, FR
Oval snuff box in three tones of gold. The hinged lid is decorated with an intricate scale pattern surrounded by a frieze of roses, ribbons, and pink, green and white gold leaves. Th...
Category
1770s French Louis XVI Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Gold
French Majolica Tobacco Jar Onnaing, Circa 1890
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica tobacco jar onnaing, Circa 1890.
Decorated with a medallion and flowers.
Category
1890s French Rococo Revival Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
Antique French Brass Napoleonic "Le Grand" Snuff Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique French Brass Napoleonic "Le Grand" Snuff Box
Step back into the glorious era of the French empire with this stunning Antique French brass Napoleonic "Le Grand" snuff box. A ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Brass
Art Nouveau Period Solid Silver Pot Pourri Box William Comyns
Located in Uckfield, Sussex
A wonderful Art Nouveau period silver pot pourri box with a detailed pierced and repousse swan lake scene, the two swans sitting within the entwining duck leaves. The hinged lid opens to reveal a interior.
Hallmarks: London 1907 William Comyns
Retailed: Finnigans Ltd Manchester
Weight: 102g
William Comyns were a London based manufacturing silversmiths who traded from around 1858 until the 1930s.
The firm was founded by William Comyns when he bought the business of Robert Tagg (founded in 1730) around 1858 and entered his first mark from the original Robert Tagg premises in Soho, London.
The business expanded rapidly and the firm moved and gradually took up more and more premises on Beak Street, off Regent Street. They became William Comyns & Son in 1885 when his two sons Charles and Richard joined the partnership.
They had a significant impact in the 1880s by producing large numbers of decorative items in silver which were retailed through leading London retailers of the time such as Henry Lewis...
Category
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
German Porcelain Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important German porcelain snuff box exhibits delightful artistry and craftsmanship. Hand painted classical tableau celebrating the e...
Category
18th Century German Neoclassical Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Victorian Solid Silver Guard Tower Table Lighter, London, c.1878
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century Victorian novelty solid silver table lighter, unusually shaped as a "guard tower", realistically modelled with simulated brick-work, door and archers windows, wi...
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Porcelain and Brass Trinket Box with Flower Decorations
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century French porcelain and brass trinket box with flower decorations.
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Sterling Silver Vesta Case with Enamel Portrait of Dog, W J Myatt & Co
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique sterling silver vesta case with enamel portrait of dog
Made in Birmingham 1913
Maker: W J Myatt & Co
Dimensions -
Size: 3.6 x 3...
Category
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Russian Enamel Cigarette Case
Located in New Orleans, LA
This elegant Russian enamel cigarette case is crafted of gilt silver and decorated with a bright floral design of cloisonné enamel. A tur...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Other Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
Papier-mâché Snuffbox, Painted with a Portrait of a Bearded Man
By Stobwasser
Located in Delft, NL
Papier-Mâché snuffbox,
A snuff box painted with a portrait of a bearded man with a turban, possibly after a painting by Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich...
Category
19th Century German Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Paper
Georgian Tobacco Honesty Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This rare brass box would have been a coveted contraption in the finest English pubs of the 18th and 19th centuries. Known as an “honesty” box, the rectang...
Category
19th Century English Georgian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Brass
Papier-mâché Snuffbox, Painted with a Portrait of a Smoking Man
By Stobwasser
Located in Delft, NL
Papier-mâché Snuffbox, painted with a portrait of a smoking man
A snuff box painted with a portrait of a smoking man with a glass of wine on the background, possibly after a paint...
Category
19th Century German Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Paper
Victorian English Regency Handcrafted Burl Wood Jewelry Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful handcrafted jewelry box burl wood box, Victorian, Napoleon style burl wood jewelry box.
Polished burl Thuya wood hand made with high quality craft...
Category
Early 20th Century British Victorian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Leather Suffbox in the Shape of a Boot
Located in Munich, DE
This highly unusual and rare suff box has been hand crafted out of leather in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. It has been much loved and used, but the lid still closes ti...
Category
1890s Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Leather
George III Pocket Nutmeg Grater Made in London in 1802 by Phipps & Robinson
Located in London, GB
This very fine George III Pocket Nutmeg Grater was made in London in 1802 by Thomas Phipps & Edward Robinson. This example is of a large size for a pocket example and may well have b...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Brass Trinket Box
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century Chinese cloisonné enamel brass trinket box.
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Metal
Antique Austro-Hungarian 1824 Silver Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Austro-Hungarian silver box, an addition to the ornamental silverware collection
This exceptional antique silver box...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
19th Century French Red Aventurine Top Silver Box
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century French red aventurine top silver box.
Category
18th Century French Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Porphyry, Silver
Antique Austro-Hungarian Silver and Enamel Cigarette / Card Case
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine antique Austro-Hungarian silver and enamel cigarette/card case; part of our continental silverware collection
This fine antique Austro-Hungarian silver and enamel cigarette/card case has a rectangular form with rounded edges.
The front cover is embellished with an enamel panel depicting two Japanese ladies playing traditional Japanese instruments, the koto (13 stringed zither) and the shamisen (3 stringed guitar-like instrument).
The players are seated on the ground in an outdoor scene with traditional Japanese lanterns hanging from tree branches overhead.
The sides of this cigarette case and posterior cover are plain and unembellished.
The case is fitted with a push fit catch which when released reveals the hallmarked gilt interior of the hinged compartments.
The hallmarks to the interior of this impressive case include:
Silver quality/purity: Dianakopf mark (800 standard, 800/1000)
Assay mark: L (Ljubljana, Slovenia)
This variation of the Dianakopf mark was used from 1872-1922, determining the date of this piece as circa 1900.
Condition
This antique silver business card holder...
Category
20th Century Slovenian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Delightful Limoges France Hand Painted Vin De Paris Wine Pitcher Porcelain Box
By Limoges
Located in Tustin, CA
Collectible Limoges porcelain miniature trinket box is handmade and hand painted in France and features beautifully hand painted grapes and vines on the wine pitcher with an attached...
Category
Late 20th Century French French Provincial Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Swiss Enamelled Gold Snuff-Box for the Oriental Market, circa 1820-1830
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular and scalloped snuff box in gold and fine stones. The hinged lid is decorated in the center with a naval scene; Steamboat; standing out against a translucent and opalescent background revealing a fine guilloche pattern. This scene is framed by flower motifs whose hearts are set with stones: rubies, emeralds and old cut diamonds. The scalloped box...
Category
1820s Swiss Charles X Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Gold, Enamel
18th Century Carved Walnut Box
Located in New York, NY
The elaborate ovoid form walnut box with lid showing royal coat of arms carved in relief, acanthus leaves at stylized points and opens to reveal an...
Category
18th Century Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Walnut
1920s Continental Silver Gilt Enamel Cigarette Case
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY:
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
Of rectangular form, the hinged cover enameled depicting a young gentleman with 18th century clothes...
Category
1920s British Art Nouveau Vintage Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
French Sapphire and Enamel Cigarette Case
Located in New Orleans, LA
This French gold cigarette case is a splendid specimen of early 20th century style and refinement. The 18-karat yellow gold accessory is surrounded by exquisite "pinstripe" white enameling with a line of channel-set blue sapphires running along the façade and thumb press.
Smoking accessories...
Category
Early 20th Century French Other Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Gold, Enamel
Antique George IV Sterling Silver Vinaigrette William Elliott
Located in Uckfield, Sussex
A fine George IV silver-gilt vinaigrette, slender rounded rectangular form, engine-turned decoration, the silver-gilt interior with a finely pierced and engraved foliate grille.
M...
Category
1820s English George IV Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
19th Century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Silver Trinket Box
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century Chinese cloisonné enamel silver trinket box.
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
1960s Geometric Jewelry Trinket Geometric Box Mexican Craft Eclectic Woodworker
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Vintage hinged lidded hexagonal box by Don Shoemaker, Senal.
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Cocobolo
English Porcelain Cottage Pastille Burner, circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
English Porcelain cottage pastille burner, circa 1820.
Category
1820s English Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Majolica Tobacco Box by Johann Maresch, Austria, circa 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This offer is for one of our rare Majolica items, an exceptional tobacco box out of the sack series by Johann Maresch from the beginning of the 20th century. The beautiful worked Maj...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Majolica
Pair of French Sterling Silver Snuff Pill Boxes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
His and hers sterling silver "Basket Weave" pill boxes, Marked 925 and, if nothing else, adorable - store your drugs, 420 or secrets!
Category
20th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
20th Century Copper Snuff Box
Located in Opole, PL
We present you a snuff box in the shape of a barrel with a lid.
The item is made of copper and brass.
This snuff box in good condition. The handle is distorted.
Moreover, there ...
Category
Early 20th Century European Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Brass, Copper
French Majolica Hound Medor Tobacco Jar Saint Clement
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica hound Medor tobacco jar Saint Clement, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Country Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Victorian Thomas Johnson II Sterling Silver Tortoise Vesta Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, rare antique Victorian English sterling silver vesta box modelled in the form of a tortoise; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection.
This exceptional antique Victorian cast sterling silver vesta box has been realistically modelled in the form of a tortoise.
The plain oval body of this Victorian vesta box is embellished with cast and applied components replicating the details of the tortoise's legs and head.
The anterior surface of this rare box features an applied oval serrated panel / match striker.
The hinged tortoiseshell cover opens to reveal the original gilt interior.
The underside of the body bears the contemporary engraved inscription 'July 1883'.
Condition
This antique Victorian vesta box is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. There are some blemishes and wear to the original gilding, in keeping with age. Full hallmarks struck to the underside of the body are very clear.
Dimensions
length 8.4cm/3.3"
width 5.5cm/2.2"
height 3.2cm/1.3"
Weight
2.4 troy ounces/73.9g (including tortoiseshell cover)
Maker: Thomas Johnson II
Date: 1882
Origin: London, England
Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request.
Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this antique vesta box...
Category
1880s British Victorian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Louis XV French Gold Snuffbox by Germain Chayé
Located in New Orleans, LA
This luxurious Louis XV-period gold snuffbox was crafted by master French goldsmith Germain Chayé. Formed of 18-karat yellow gold, this exceptional box d...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Gold
Aesthetic Movement Oak Pipe Rack with a Japanese Style Brass Fretwork Backplate
Located in London, GB
Aesthetic Movement. An oak pipe rack with a Japanese-style brass fretwork backplate, and a tobacco draw with brass handle.
Category
1870s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Brass
Gold Snuff Box, Restauration Period, circa 1820-1830
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular box with rounded corners. The hinged lid as well as the bottom are embellished with an intricate geometric pattern framed with rinceaux motifs on a matte gold background....
Category
1820s European Restauration Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Gold
Antique Edwardian English Sterling Silver Castle Top Card Case
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian English sterling silver castle top card case depicting Royal Windsor, an addition to our range ...
Category
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique George III Sterling Silver Purse Vinaigrette
By John Shaw
Located in Uckfield, Sussex
A fine George III silver gilt vinaigrette in a form of a purse, rectangular form, engraved decoration, the silver gilt interior with a pierced and engraved foliate grille.
Maker: John Shaw...
Category
1810s British George III Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
Antique Austrian Silver Table Snuff Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Austrian silver table snuff box; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection.
This excep...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Tortoiseshell Hinged Box with Silver Decorations
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century English tortoiseshell hinged box with silver decorations.
Category
19th Century English Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Tortoise Shell
Silver Oval Box, 19th Century, with Hallmarks
Located in Madrid, ES
Oval box. Silver, 19th centu.
With contrast marks.
Oval box with flat lid made of silver, partially gilded, decorated on the outside with figurative scenes ...
Category
19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
19th Century English Glass and Silver Perfume Bottle with Crown and Inscription
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century English glass and silver perfume bottle with crown and inscription.
Category
19th Century English Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
Silver Cigarette Case of Taj Mahal
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Silver cigarette case of Taj Mahal.
Category
20th Century Indian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
19th Century French Papier Mâché Hand Painted Round Trinket Box
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century French papier mâché hand painted round trinket box.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Paper
Onnaing Style Barbotine Tobacco Box Reading Pig, 19th Century
By Onnaing
Located in Paris, FR
Onnaing style barbotine tobacco box representing a sitting pig with a cane, wearing glasses and a blue hat, smoking and reading a French newspaper called "La Viene". Around it, three...
Category
19th Century French Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Faience
English 18th Century Gold-Mounted Agate Snuff-Box
Located in Paris, FR
Agate box or snuff-box in of circular form with gently bombé sides, the gold mounted lid is chased with scrollwork.
Probably Georges II period.
Unmarked gold...
Category
1750s English George II Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Agate, Gold
Rare Chinese Tonkin Ware Shakudo Sawasa Erotic Tobacco Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A ruyi-shaped Shakudo-style erotic tobacco or snuff box, relief-decorated with silvered applied figures
Possibly Jakarta (Batavia), first half 18th century
Measures: H. 2.2 x L. 12.1 x W. 8 cm
This box is very much in the Dutch taste, for the illustration is after a print with a legend reading “L’oiseau sans cage. Prenez, belle, mon oiseau. C’est le plus doux présent que je puisse vous faire. Pour les autres oiseaux, la cage d’ordinaire est une espèce de tombeau. Mais le mien semble prendre une nouvelle vie, Lorsqu’il sera dans la cage de mon aimable Silvie.” The erotic message is as clear as can be.
In Dutch culture the verb ‘vogelen’ (catching a bird) is another word for having sex and a bird escaping from his cage indicates loss of chastity. The lady with the bare breasts, while making the sign of sealed lips to the lady behind her, who is pointing towards heaven, seems to be caressing the bird held in the sleeping man’s groin. 17th century Dutch pictures...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Gold, Silver, Bronze
Egg Shaped Enamel Box
Located in Essex, MA
Depicting land battles and a seascape. Gilt metal fittings.
Category
1790s European Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Antique Austrian Silver Tea Caddy, Made in Circa 1867
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Austrian silver tea caddy, made in Circa 1867.
Silver Grade 900/1000
Makers Mark: AW
Hallmarked with 'Dianas Head' and number 2, indicating 900 silver hallmark of the 1867...
Category
1860s Austrian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
Portait Box Signed Cartier à Paris, 20th Century
By Cartier
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular gold case or box signed Cartier in Paris. The case is finely guilloché with rhombic motifs and framed by a stylized foliated frieze. The c...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Tourmaline, Gold
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver and Enamel Vesta Case by Lawrence Emanuel
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and enamel vesta case; an addition to our range of collectable silver cases.
This exceptional antique...
Category
1890s British Victorian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1950s Spanish Lapislazuli Top Trinket Metal Box with Engraved Decoration
Located in Marbella, ES
1950s Spanish lapislazuli top trinket metal box with engraved geometric decoration.
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Metal
Antique Russian Silver Niello Snuff Box with Rectangular Hinged Lid
Located in London, GB
Scene of Russian town surrounded by floral detailing on lid, lozenge design to sides.
Category
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
Antique Snuffboxes for Sale on 1stDibs
Today antique snuffboxes and tobacco boxes — as well as a lot of other vintage tobacco accessories — are collectibles and charming pieces of decor for any display case or to elevate your bookshelves.
Snuff, made of ground tobacco, was especially popular with Europeans in the 1600s. The ornate boxes to keep the powder dry became highly decorative by the 18th century. It was considered a must-have item, particularly for nobility.
The most important feature of a snuffbox was that it was airtight. The box protected the snuff from oxygen. Another crucial component was the flat lid.
Snuffboxes could be small enough to fit into a pocket or a larger container for communal use at the table. They also came in different shapes. Porcelain containers were prevalent and often designed to look like trunks. Others were oval or square. Boxes made with cowrie shells were rare and more expensive.
Snuffboxes were usually crafted from silver, gold, horn or tortoiseshell. Some of the most prestigious snuffboxes were French tabatières made of gold and sometimes glass. They could be adorned with amethysts, sapphires and diamonds and enameled, engraved or chased.
Sheffield, England, was known for its silver snuffboxes in the late 18th century as its silver-plating technologies perfected these containers. By the early 19th century, the silver industry in Birmingham, England, was producing elegant snuffboxes with images of abbeys and castles on the sides and top.
Another type of tobacco box was the snuff mull or mill. It was made out of horn or an entire ram’s head and topped with a metal lid, frequently featuring engravings and decorative hinges. These were fashionable in Scotland during the 19th century. The origin of its name is unclear.
On 1stDibs, find a plentiful range of antique snuffboxes and tobacco boxes to complement any home decor or furniture style. You can browse the collection by style, which includes Victorian, Georgian and Art Deco, or by material to find pieces in silver and gold.
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