Snuff Box
ca.1820-1860 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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 of carved wood. Snuff boxes in the form of a shoe were popular in the mid-18th century and again in the 19th century.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved wood, probably stained pearwood, with incised decoration and inlay of bone |
| Brief description | Of carved wood (probably pearwood) in the form of a low-cut shoe (possibly a Middle Eastern slipper), with a hinged lid. Decorated with incising and inlay of bone |
| Physical description | Snuffbox in the form of a low-cut shoe, with hinged lid, of carved wood, probably pearwood, stained darker. The shoe has a slightly upturned toe and may be intended to represent a Middle Eastern slipper Both shoe and lid are carved with geometric decoration and the lid is inlaid with bone. The lid is attached with a craftsman-made hinge made of curled wire. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | 794 (Printed in black on paper label stuck underneath the shoe. Possibly an inventory number from the Harrods collection) |
| Credit line | Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd. |
| Object history | Harrods Collection |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | 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 of carved wood. Snuff boxes in the form of a shoe were popular in the mid-18th century and again in the 19th century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.1613-1913 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 14, 2007 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
