Antiques M.S. Rau | English Gold And Hardstone Snuff Box

This 18Th-Century English Snuff Box Is Composed Of A Beautiful Dark Hardstone Body Encased In Gold Casework Mounts. The Box Opens With A Hinged Lid, Allowing Snuff Stored Inside To Be Accessed With Ease. The Gold Mounting Are Intricately Crafted With Rococo-Style Rocaille And Floral Motifs.

Snuff-Taking Was A Popular Habit Of All Classes From The 17Th Through 19Th Centuries, And The Materials Used To Craft Snuff Boxes Varied Widely. Whereas Snuff Boxes For The Middle Classes Were Typically Made From More Ordinary Materials Such As Papier-Mâché, Tin, Wood And Even Potato Pulp, For The Upper Classes There Was Hardly A Limit To The Artistry Involved. This Gold And Hardstone Box Represents One Of The Finest Examples Of The Period.

Mid-18Th Century

1 3/8″ High X 1″ Diameter