Snuff Box
1700-1800 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
A snuff box was a small box, usually having a hinged lid, for holding snuff (pulverised tobacco). The bottom part is usually made in one piece, the lid being attached by means of a hinged metal frame fitted to both parts. Some examples have two compartments, with a hinged lid at the top and another at the bottom. Decoration included engraving, chasing, embossing, engine turning or enamelling, setting with gemstones or ornate cast lids. The box is usually rectangular, but there are also many in a vast variety of fanciful shapes.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Shell of stag of cowry shell with silver mounts |
Brief description | Snuff box, stag cowry shell with silver mounts, England, 1700-1800, mark of DD (unidentified). |
Physical description | Snuff box made of stag cowry shell (Cypraea cervus), silver mounts, moulded edges, hinged lid, the interior gilt. Engraved with the arms and crest of Armstrong, c. Lincoln and Nottingham. The interior engraved with the initials AA. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Credit line | Lt. Col. G. B. Croft-Lyons Bequest |
Object history | Bequest - Croft Lyon Acquisition RF: Croft Lyon |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | A snuff box was a small box, usually having a hinged lid, for holding snuff (pulverised tobacco). The bottom part is usually made in one piece, the lid being attached by means of a hinged metal frame fitted to both parts. Some examples have two compartments, with a hinged lid at the top and another at the bottom. Decoration included engraving, chasing, embossing, engine turning or enamelling, setting with gemstones or ornate cast lids. The box is usually rectangular, but there are also many in a vast variety of fanciful shapes. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.740-1926 |
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Record created | September 10, 2004 |
Record URL |
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