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Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

LOUIS XV STYLE

The style of 18th-century French furniture was guided by the court. When Louis XV, who reigned from 1715–74, focused royal life on the smaller salons of Versailles rather than its grand chambers, it transformed the aesthetics away from the imposing and angular furniture that characterized the style of Louis XIV. A broader focus on comfort and more delicate forms define antique Louis XV furniture, with nature-inspired carvings, wood inlays, curved cabriole legs, asymmetrical shapes and rounded oval seat backs. The furnishings changed throughout the king’s life, as he ascended to the throne as a child and then grew to establish his own tastes.

Pieces like the bergère, an upholstered armchair with a wide cushion that fit the flowing dresses in fashion at the time, reflected this more informal court. Introduced at the start of Louis XV’s reign, bergère chairs in this style were deeper and broader than other chairs of the period.

Louis XV tapestries and carpets tended to be floral and colorful, and design elements were borrowed from Asia. Dutch-born cabinetmaker Bernard van Risenburgh brought lacquer techniques influenced by Japan and China into his luxuriously made furniture. Along with its fine details, the furniture of the era also featured new innovations including mechanical devices. Jean François Oeben, a royal cabinetmaker, created such intricate pieces as a mechanical table for Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV’s mistress. It involved a sliding top and a writing surface that extended from its marquetry panels.

During the later years of Louis XV’s reign, there was a shift from the ostentatious rocaille style, part of the exuberantly decorative Rococo movement in Europe for which designers such as Nicolas Pineau and Juste-Aurèle Meissonier are known. The style under Louis XVI would return to boxier forms, but with a neoclassical touch inspired by the ancient world.

Find antique Louis XV bedroom furniture, seating, tables and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

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Style: Louis XV
Montesquieu Portrait Tortoiseshell Snuff Box
By Jacques Joseph de Gault
Located in New Orleans, LA
An exquisite miniature of French philosopher Charles Montesquieu graces the lid of this tortoiseshell-lined snuff box. The handsome portrait was fash...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Mid-19th Century Limoges Enamel Flask
Located in Paris, FR
Small flask in Limoges enamel and silver mounts with its original stopper. All of its surfaces are decorated with figures set in a gallant landscape. On the body, a couple of young l...
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19th Century French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Louis XV Vari-Color Gold & Enamel Snuff Box - France - Late 18th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Exceptional Louis XV vari-color gold and black enamel snuff box - featuring a bouquet of flowers with two attending butterflies to the top (all in yellow, white, rose and green gold)...
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Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold, Enamel

French 1750 Antique Double Compartment Pocket Snuff Flask Carved In Coquille Nut
Located in Miami, FL
Pocket snuff flask carved from coquille nut. Amazing small pocket snuff bottle, carved from a large coquille nut. This antique piece was created in the shape of a spinning top with two secret compartments which can be unscrewed to open. Made in the continental Europe and most probably French or Portuguese provenance from the 18th century, circa 1780. Extensively decorated with organic and floral motifs with a beautiful image of a nut on the upper part. Curiously due to the shape of this piece, it could be played as a spinning tool on a table. This adds a particular interest for the multiple use with which the carving was conceived. Weight: 42.60 Grams. Measurements: Diameter of 40 mm and a height of 89 mm (1.57 x 3.5 Inches). Hallmarks: No marks, gorgeous deep antique patina. Coquille Nut The coquille nut emanates from swampy areas on the eastern side of South America, from a palm known as the “attalea funiefera”. Brazilians call it “Piassabe”. The nuts were introduced into Western Europe in the mid-16th century, and used for small carved objects until the end of the 19th century. Coquille nut is a fruit of a Brazilian palm...
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1750s French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Chestnut, Fruitwood

Louis XV Mother-of-pearl Snuffbox
By Louis Robin
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Louis XV-period gold-mounted snuff box features lustrous panels of inlaid mother-of-pearl. The whimsical box takes the form of a barrel and features hinged lids on both ends. Di...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

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...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Duke and Duchess of Windsor Gold Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important Louis XV gold snuff box is from the prestigious collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The engine-turned gold box or...
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18th Century French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Renaissance Style circa 1790 German Sterling Silver Gilt Snuff Box
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). Germany, circa 1740 Of rectangular...
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Mid-18th Century German Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silver

Large Gold Candy Box 18th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Large and circular box featuring two shades of gold. The removable lid is embellished with detailed, concentric lines and with a central medallion representing a dove flying over a f...
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1750s French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Louis XV Gold-Mounted Lacquer Snuff Box
Located in Spencertown, NY
The cover and base inset with gouache miniatures of the front and back of a chateau, signed Andre inv. with tortoiseshell lined interior maker's mark JG cross between, Paris, 1762-1768.
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Mid-18th Century French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Related Items
Victorian Inlaid Box with Mother of Pearl
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century walnut box with band inlay, band inlay and felt interior.
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Late 19th Century British Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Wood

French Carved Snuff Box, Mid-19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The elaborately carved snuff box with a scene of two mermaids on the cover and deeply carved shell on the reverse.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Boxwood

Carved Shoe Form Treen Snuff Box with Carved Shamrock, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Probably Irish given the carved shamrock, with hinged top and robust leaf like carving. A small chip to bottom of toe and two small holes on the bottom likely from former mounting.
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19th Century Irish Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Wood

Marie Antionette Style Limoge Box
Located in Asheville, NC
Beautiful porcelain Limoges box hand-painted rose flowerettes adorned with painted gold designs and gold hardware.
Category

18th Century and Earlier French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Marie Antionette Style Limoge Box
Marie Antionette Style Limoge Box
H 2 in W 4 in D 2.75 in
Vintage Hand Carved Nut Woodenware Catchall, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Austria at an estate sale, this hand carved nut catchall is perfect for the collector. Nice Mid Century collectible to display in your home. Made by Talarico about 1960s.
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1960s American Vintage Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Wood

18th Century English Agate Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
Trimmed in elegant yellow gold is this polished English agate snuff box. Distinguished by the dynamic patterning of the agate, the exquisite vessel i...
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18th Century English Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Agate, Gold

18th Century English Agate Snuff Box
18th Century English Agate Snuff Box
H 1.32 in W 3.38 in D 2.69 in
English Petite Mother-of-Pearl Inlay Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th century English trinket box has an elegant design of lacquered papier-mâché with mother-of-pearl inlay. The inlaid decoration depicts a spray of various flowers which ...
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Late 19th Century British Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, 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...
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Mid-19th Century English Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mother of Pearl Decorative Box
Located in New York, NY
Decorative box with hand inlaid mother of pearl shell rectangular tiles.
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21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Shell

Mother of Pearl Decorative Box
Mother of Pearl Decorative Box
H 2 in W 6 in D 4 in
Victorian Rosewood & Mother-of-Pearl Jewellery/Sewing Box
Located in Suffolk, GB
Victorian rosewood and mother-of-pearl jewellery/sewing box having pretty pewter and mother-of-pearl inlay to the top and side, mother-of-pearl lock es...
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19th Century English Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Limoges Purse Shaped Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely and exceptionally cute vintage Limoges purse shaped box. Made in Limoges, France circa 1900-20. Marked on interior as “Limoge...
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Early 20th Century French Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

Vintage Limoges Purse Shaped Box
Vintage Limoges Purse Shaped Box
H 2.8 in W 2 in D 1 in
Porcelain Casket, Limoges, France
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain casket, Limoges. France Very good condition. dimensions: 4 cm Wed 11 cm.
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1980s French Vintage Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Previously Available Items
Antique Karl Griesbaum Singing Bird Box Automaton
By Karl Griesbaum
Located in Paris, FR
Rectangular music box in gilded brass and polychrome enamel. The music box is adorned on the sides with translucent blue enamel panels and medallions depicting representing an alpine...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Enamel, Vermeil

18th Century Box Martin Varnish and Gold Mount Signed Bardin
Located in Paris, FR
Cylindrical box in Martin varnish and gold mount. The box has two compartments with removable lids. Each lid is decorated with a miniature. On one of the lids, a man in Armor is pres...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Gold, Enamel, Tortoiseshell and Lacquer Box, Louis XV Period
By Julien Alaterre
Located in Paris, FR
Circular box in several shades of gold, enamel, and composite materials. The box features varnish or tortoiseshell powder inlaid with thin bands of pink gold. A yellow gold mounting ...
Category

1760s French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Early 18th Century French Marble Tobacco Box
Located in Dallas, TX
This 18th century Boite de Tabac or Tobacco Box has been made from beautiful dark grey and white marble. Marble tobacco containers from France are relatively rare, as most were usual...
Category

1720s French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Marble

Early 18th Century French Marble Tobacco Box
Early 18th Century French Marble Tobacco Box
H 6.75 in W 13.75 in D 7.63 in
Gold, Enamel, Tortoiseshell and Lacquer Box, Louis XV Period
By Julien Alaterre
Located in Paris, FR
Circular box in several shades of gold, enamel, and composite materials. The box features varnish or tortoiseshell powder inlaid with thin bands of pink gold. A yellow gold mounting ...
Category

1760s French Antique Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Enamel, Gold

Louis Xv snuff boxes and tobacco boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Louis XV snuff boxes and tobacco boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage snuff boxes and tobacco boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, gold and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Louis XV snuff boxes and tobacco boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original snuff boxes and tobacco boxes, popular names associated with this style include Jacques Joseph de Gault, Karl Griesbaum, Limoges, and Louis Robin. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for snuff boxes and tobacco boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,118 and tops out at $58,500 while the average work can sell for $13,500.

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