Snuff Box
1800-1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Snuff, or powdered tobacco, was widely popular throughout Europe from the 17th century. Sniffed from the back of the hand, from pinched fingers or from a spoon, snuff was enjoyed on social occasions and would be placed on the table or passed around a group. Thousands of small portable boxes to contain the powder were made as personal accessories, often in novel designs, to be given as gifts.
This carved wood snuff box in the shape of a miniature pair of bellows has a sliding lid to secure the powder. Fine piqué work (short lengths of metal wire fixed in small holes drilled into the wood) forms the inscription 'My Only Love', so this was probably given as a love token. The small size and weight of the container indicate that it was designed as a portable box for personal use, rather than to be passed around a dinner table.
This carved wood snuff box in the shape of a miniature pair of bellows has a sliding lid to secure the powder. Fine piqué work (short lengths of metal wire fixed in small holes drilled into the wood) forms the inscription 'My Only Love', so this was probably given as a love token. The small size and weight of the container indicate that it was designed as a portable box for personal use, rather than to be passed around a dinner table.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Mahogany (probably), brass piqué work |
| Brief description | Snuff box, carved wood with brass piqué work, English, 19th century |
| Physical description | Snuff box of carved wood decorated with brass piqué work. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | My Only Love |
| Credit line | Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd. |
| Historical context | Part of Messrs Harrods gift |
| Summary | Snuff, or powdered tobacco, was widely popular throughout Europe from the 17th century. Sniffed from the back of the hand, from pinched fingers or from a spoon, snuff was enjoyed on social occasions and would be placed on the table or passed around a group. Thousands of small portable boxes to contain the powder were made as personal accessories, often in novel designs, to be given as gifts. This carved wood snuff box in the shape of a miniature pair of bellows has a sliding lid to secure the powder. Fine piqué work (short lengths of metal wire fixed in small holes drilled into the wood) forms the inscription 'My Only Love', so this was probably given as a love token. The small size and weight of the container indicate that it was designed as a portable box for personal use, rather than to be passed around a dinner table. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.1584&A-1913 |
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| Record created | July 15, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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