Snuff Box
1700-1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Snuff was made from dried tobacco leaves, grated into a powder. It was enjoyed by both men and women in the late 17th and 18th centuries. The smaller graters or rasps which were used to prepare snuff, were often carved or inlaid as decorative accessories, as were snuff boxes, which were made in every quality, from vastly expensive, jewelled boxes made for monarchs and aristocrats, to simpler pieces such as this one, made in small workshops or even by individuals.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved burr maple, the box section lined with veneers of turtle-shell |
| Brief description | Snuffbox of burr maple, carved in the form of a lion. German 1700-1750 |
| Physical description | A snuffbox carved in burr maple, carved in the form of a crouching lion, the box opening with a narrow lid hinged just above the tail, the interior of the box lined with veneers of blonde turtle-shell on the base and the underside of the lid, and with darker turtle-shell on the sides |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Purchased from A.S. Drey, Munich, per Kreittmeyer for £2. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Snuff was made from dried tobacco leaves, grated into a powder. It was enjoyed by both men and women in the late 17th and 18th centuries. The smaller graters or rasps which were used to prepare snuff, were often carved or inlaid as decorative accessories, as were snuff boxes, which were made in every quality, from vastly expensive, jewelled boxes made for monarchs and aristocrats, to simpler pieces such as this one, made in small workshops or even by individuals. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1266-1872 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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