-
Snuff box
unknown - Enlarge image
Snuff box
- Place of origin:
Germany (made)
- Date:
ca. 1720 - ca. 1740 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Carved boxwood
- Museum number:
1268-1872
- Gallery location:
In store
Snuff, or powdered tobacco, was widely popular throughout Europe from the 17th century. Small boxes to contain the powder were made in their thousands, with decoration varying from the most expensive ones in jewelled gold and silver, to much more modest boxes carved in wood. Miniature shoes seem to have been popular in both the 18th and the 19th centuries, but the form of this shoe suggests a date in the first half of the 18th century. The carved decoration, showing scenes from the passion and death of Christ, may seem strangely sombre to us now for the decoration of an item associated with leisure.
Download image
