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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
  • Height: 4.65cm
  • Length: 8.5cm
  • Width: 6.75cm
  • Weight: 111.7g
Marks and inscriptions
  • D and then a D in reverse. Is this a makers mark points for it being a mm. are 1) that it is an incuse mark 2) it is in the correct place for a makers mark. However it is relatively large for a makers mark.
  • Engraved with a crest and a coat of arms for Armstrong, co. Lincoln and Nottingham.
  • Engraved with the initals AA.
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 createdSeptember 10, 2004
Record URL
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