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French Snuff Box, circa 1800
French Snuff Box, circa 1800

French Snuff Box, circa 1800

$100Sale Price|55% Off

French Snuff Box, circa 1800

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Scarlet tole French snuff box, circa 1800, navette form - silver trimmed. 3.5" w, 1" h, 1.75" d

Category

Antique 18th Century French Victorian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Tin

Unusual 18th Century French Boulle & Brass Inlaid Snuff Box w/ Candleholder
Unusual 18th Century French Boulle & Brass Inlaid Snuff Box w/ Candleholder

Unusual 18th Century French Boulle & Brass Inlaid Snuff Box w/ Candleholder

Located in Atlanta, GA

This diminutive yet opulent 18th or 19th-century French snuff box exemplifies the Boulle-style

Category

Antique 18th Century French Napoleon III Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Brass

Duke and Duchess of Windsor Gold Snuff Box
Duke and Duchess of Windsor Gold Snuff Box

Duke and Duchess of Windsor Gold Snuff Box

Located in New Orleans, LA

illustrious couple. This important French snuff box from their historic collection is pictured on page 90

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

French Chinoiserie Hardstone Snuff Box
French Chinoiserie Hardstone Snuff Box

French Chinoiserie Hardstone Snuff Box

Located in New Orleans, LA

tabatière or snuff box. The charming scene is intricately crafted in the form of a boating figure who holds

Category

Antique 19th Century French Chinoiserie Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Stone, Gold

19th Century French Silver Snuff Box
19th Century French Silver Snuff Box

19th Century French Silver Snuff Box

Located in Delft, NL

19th century French silver snuff box Late 19th century silver snuffbox with engraved centre and

Category

Antique 19th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silver

French Faux Tortoise Shell Cigarette Snuff Tobacco Box
French Faux Tortoise Shell Cigarette Snuff Tobacco Box

French Faux Tortoise Shell Cigarette Snuff Tobacco Box

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

As found in Paris, a charming faux tortoiseshell box marked cigarettes on the lid. A very versatile

Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Metal

French Silver and Enamel Snuff Box Hallmarked Benjamin Wolles
French Silver and Enamel Snuff Box Hallmarked Benjamin Wolles

French Silver and Enamel Snuff Box Hallmarked Benjamin Wolles

Located in Newark, England

inside of the Snuff Box is finished in silver gilt and bears the French silver hallmarks BW Benjamin

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold, Silver, Enamel

French early 19th Century lacquered papier mâché snuff box
French early 19th Century lacquered papier mâché snuff box

French early 19th Century lacquered papier mâché snuff box

By Stobwasser

Located in Delft, NL

French early 19th Century lacquered papier mâché snuff box Lacquered Papier Mâché Snuff Box

Category

Antique 19th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Paper

Montesquieu Portrait Tortoiseshell Snuff Box
Montesquieu Portrait Tortoiseshell Snuff Box

Montesquieu Portrait Tortoiseshell Snuff Box

By Jacques Joseph de Gault

Located in New Orleans, LA

tortoiseshell-lined snuff box. The handsome portrait was fashioned by the renowned Jacques-Joseph de Gault of

Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century

Empire French Pressed Wood Snuff Box, Early 19th Century

Located in Spencertown, NY

The circular lidded box depicting a woman reclining on a Recamier playing the harp. The underside

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century Snuff Box with Intarsia
19th Century Snuff Box with Intarsia

19th Century Snuff Box with Intarsia

Located in Delft, NL

A 19th century snuff box with intarsia A horn snuff box with a diamond-shaped embedded smaller

Category

Antique 19th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Horn

Louis XV Gold & Lacquer Snuff Box
Louis XV Gold & Lacquer Snuff Box

Louis XV Gold & Lacquer Snuff Box

Located in New York, NY

Louis XV gold & lacquer snuff box Circa Paris, France 1760/1761 With the Charge and Decharge

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Early 19th Century French Carved Boxwood Snuff Box, “La Ste Famille”
Early 19th Century French Carved Boxwood Snuff Box, “La Ste Famille”

Early 19th Century French Carved Boxwood Snuff Box, “La Ste Famille”

Located in Atlanta, GA

A finely carved circular snuff box in boxwood, French, circa 1820, the lid delicately rendered in

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Snuff Boxes and Tobacco B...

Materials

Boxwood

18th Century Mennecy Porcelain Swan Snuff Box
18th Century Mennecy Porcelain Swan Snuff Box

18th Century Mennecy Porcelain Swan Snuff Box

By Mennecy Porcelain Manufactory 1

Located in Basildon, GB

18th Century Mennecy Porcelain Swan Snuff Box, modelled as a swan and decorated in polychrome

Category

Antique 18th Century French Rococo Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Mennecy Porcelain Cat Snuff Box
18th Century Mennecy Porcelain Cat Snuff Box

18th Century Mennecy Porcelain Cat Snuff Box

By Mennecy Porcelain Manufactory 1

Located in Basildon, GB

18th Century Mennecy Porcelain Cat Snuff Box, modelled as a cat with kittens and decorated in

Category

Antique 18th Century French Rococo Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century French 18K Gold Royal Presentation Snuff Box, c.1850
19th Century French 18K Gold Royal Presentation Snuff Box, c.1850

19th Century French 18K Gold Royal Presentation Snuff Box, c.1850

By Louis-François Tronquoy 1

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique mid 19th century French 18k gold snuff box, of lobed design with chased scroll and foliate

Category

Antique 19th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Antique 19thC French 18K Two-Colour Gold & Enamel Snuff Box c.1840
Antique 19thC French 18K Two-Colour Gold & Enamel Snuff Box c.1840

Antique 19thC French 18K Two-Colour Gold & Enamel Snuff Box c.1840

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique mid-19th Century French 18K two-colour gold & enamel snuff box, of rectangular form

Category

Antique 19th Century French Other Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Pressed Wood Snuff Box of Place Vendome, French, Early 19th Century
Pressed Wood Snuff Box of Place Vendome, French, Early 19th Century

Pressed Wood Snuff Box of Place Vendome, French, Early 19th Century

Located in Spencertown, NY

The circular box depicting Place Vendome with quote on bottom 'COLON DE LA PLACE VENDOME.' The

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Wood

Louis XV Vari-Color Gold & Enamel Snuff Box - France - Late 18th Century
Louis XV Vari-Color Gold & Enamel Snuff Box - France - Late 18th Century

Louis XV Vari-Color Gold & Enamel Snuff Box - France - Late 18th Century

Located in Chatham, ON

Exceptional Louis XV vari-color gold and black enamel snuff box - featuring a bouquet of flowers

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold, Enamel

A Gold Mounted Moss Agate Snuff Box
A Gold Mounted Moss Agate Snuff Box

A Gold Mounted Moss Agate Snuff Box

Located in Spencertown, NY

The mottled brown agate with translucence when held to light. The cover with a gold rope twist edge above hinged clasp with wreath and berry design above a cushion base

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Agate, Gold

19th C. French Carved Boxwood Snuff Box, PRINCE EUGENE AT HIS MOTHER'S TOMB
19th C. French Carved Boxwood Snuff Box, PRINCE EUGENE AT HIS MOTHER'S TOMB

19th C. French Carved Boxwood Snuff Box, PRINCE EUGENE AT HIS MOTHER'S TOMB

Located in Atlanta, GA

A finely carved circular snuff box in boxwood or possibly elm (interior possibly faux tortoiseshell

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Snuff Boxes and Tobacco B...

Materials

Boxwood

Louis XV Gold-Mounted Lacquer Snuff Box
Louis XV Gold-Mounted Lacquer Snuff Box

Louis XV Gold-Mounted Lacquer Snuff Box

Located in Spencertown, NY

The cover and base inset with gouache miniatures of the front and back of a chateau, signed Andre inv. with tortoiseshell lined interior maker's mark JG cross between, Paris, 1762-1768.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Chantilly Kakiemon Circular Soft Paste Snuff Box, circa 1745
Chantilly Kakiemon Circular Soft Paste Snuff Box, circa 1745

Chantilly Kakiemon Circular Soft Paste Snuff Box, circa 1745

By Chantilly

Located in Spencertown, NY

Chantilly circular Kakiemon decorated snuff box with gilt metal mounts. Circa 1745

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Metal

18th Century French 18K Gold & Enamel Snuff Box, Joseph-Etienne Blerzy c.1780
18th Century French 18K Gold & Enamel Snuff Box, Joseph-Etienne Blerzy c.1780

18th Century French 18K Gold & Enamel Snuff Box, Joseph-Etienne Blerzy c.1780

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Antique 18th Century Exceptional French 18k gold & enamel snuff box, a circular snuffbox crafted in

Category

Antique 18th Century French Other Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Antique French or German Porcelain Snuff Box with Hand-Painted Military Scenes
Antique French or German Porcelain Snuff Box with Hand-Painted Military Scenes

Antique French or German Porcelain Snuff Box with Hand-Painted Military Scenes

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine antique French or German porcelain snuff box. Dating to the 18th (or possibly early 19th

Category

Antique 18th Century German George III Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Dutch Tobacco Box Engraved Brass Snuff Box Brass with Figures
18th Century Dutch Tobacco Box Engraved Brass Snuff Box Brass with Figures

18th Century Dutch Tobacco Box Engraved Brass Snuff Box Brass with Figures

Located in Milano, MI

18th century Dutch brass tobacco box with hinged lid engraved with five circular medallions

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Romantic Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Other, Brass

A GILT-METAL MOUNTED SNUFF BOX Circa 1750, probably Mennecy
A GILT-METAL MOUNTED SNUFF BOX Circa 1750, probably Mennecy

A GILT-METAL MOUNTED SNUFF BOX Circa 1750, probably Mennecy

Located in Spencertown, NY

A GILT-METAL MOUNTED SNUFF BOX Circa 1750, probably Saint-Cloud Modelled as a reclining monk, one

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Rococo Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Metal

St. Cloud Style Hen and Chicken Snuff Box by Samson
St. Cloud Style Hen and Chicken Snuff Box by Samson

St. Cloud Style Hen and Chicken Snuff Box by Samson

By Saint Cloud, Samson & Cie

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

St. Cloud style hen and chicken snuff box, by Samson. Large size, beautifully decorated.

Category

Early 20th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Antique 18th Century Mennecy Figural Mouse Snuff or Patch Box
Antique 18th Century Mennecy Figural Mouse Snuff or Patch Box

Antique 18th Century Mennecy Figural Mouse Snuff or Patch Box

By Mennecy Porcelain Manufactory 1

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A rare figural porcelain snuff box in the form of a mouse attributed to Mennecy porcelain

Category

Antique 18th Century French Rococo Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Antique Silver Niello Scottish Bagpipe Player Snuff Box, Circa 1840
Rare Antique Silver Niello Scottish Bagpipe Player Snuff Box, Circa 1840

Rare Antique Silver Niello Scottish Bagpipe Player Snuff Box, Circa 1840

Located in New York, NY

Fine silver, niello and vermeil silver antique snuff box depicting a handsome Scottish bagpipe

Category

Antique 19th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silver

Continental Niello and Silver Gilt Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
Continental Niello and Silver Gilt Snuff Box, Early 19th Century

Continental Niello and Silver Gilt Snuff Box, Early 19th Century

Located in Spencertown, NY

No apparent hallmarks. The diaper pattern filled with small crosses throughout and the opening with a slight lip.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco B...

Materials

Silver

Saint-Cloud snuff box in the form of a shepherd, circa 1735
Saint-Cloud snuff box in the form of a shepherd, circa 1735

Saint-Cloud snuff box in the form of a shepherd, circa 1735

By Saint-Cloud Porcelain

Located in Spencertown, NY

The silver hinged snuff box with the resting shepherd and dog at his feet, above hand painted

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Rococo Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silver

Pressed Wood Snuff Box Depicting the Battle in Paris of 30th March 1814
Pressed Wood Snuff Box Depicting the Battle in Paris of 30th March 1814

Pressed Wood Snuff Box Depicting the Battle in Paris of 30th March 1814

Located in Bilzen, BE

Battle of Paris took place on March 30, 1814. The final battle of the France campaign, it pitted the

Category

Antique 1810s French Empire Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Wood

A Chantilly Silver Mounted Snuff Box of a Sleeping Monk, Mid 18th Century
A Chantilly Silver Mounted Snuff Box of a Sleeping Monk, Mid 18th Century

A Chantilly Silver Mounted Snuff Box of a Sleeping Monk, Mid 18th Century

By Chantilly

Located in Spencertown, NY

tree trunk and interior cover with two butterflies. A tight closure and French discharge mark on rim.

Category

Antique 18th Century French Rococo Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silver

An Ormolu Mounted Mennecy Double Snuff Box in the Form of a Barrel, Circa 1740
An Ormolu Mounted Mennecy Double Snuff Box in the Form of a Barrel, Circa 1740

An Ormolu Mounted Mennecy Double Snuff Box in the Form of a Barrel, Circa 1740

By Mennecy Porcelain Manufactory 1

Located in Spencertown, NY

The white ground floral decorated snuff box with openings at both ends, one opening revealing

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Rococo Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

French 1750 Antique Double Compartment Pocket Snuff Flask Carved In Coquille Nut
French 1750 Antique Double Compartment Pocket Snuff Flask Carved In Coquille Nut

French 1750 Antique Double Compartment Pocket Snuff Flask Carved In Coquille Nut

Located in Miami, FL

, order Arecales, family Arecacae (Palmae). Snuff bottles Snuff boxes or snuff bottles were used for

Category

Antique 1750s French Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Chestnut, Fruitwood

Decorative leather box, France, 1960
Decorative leather box, France, 1960

Decorative leather box, France, 1960

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

A French decorative box from the 1960s, crafted from leather, exemplifies the understated elegance

Category

Vintage 1960s French Art Deco Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Leather

19th Century French Red Aventurine Top Silver Box
19th Century French Red Aventurine Top Silver Box

19th Century French Red Aventurine Top Silver Box

Located in Marbella, ES

19th century French red aventurine top silver box.

Category

Antique 18th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Porphyry, Silver

French Art Nouveau Period Sterling Silver Pill Box
French Art Nouveau Period Sterling Silver Pill Box

French Art Nouveau Period Sterling Silver Pill Box

Located in New York, NY

A small French sterling silver pill box, Art Nouveau period, decorated with flowers and a gold gilt

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Tobacco Humidor Box in Leather and Wood , France 1950s
Tobacco Humidor Box in Leather and Wood , France 1950s

Tobacco Humidor Box in Leather and Wood , France 1950s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Handsome velvet and leather wooden tobacco jar, France, 1950s Beautiful cigars box made of wood and

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Leather, Velvet, Wood

19th Century French Papier Mâché Box with Painted Portrait
19th Century French Papier Mâché Box with Painted Portrait

19th Century French Papier Mâché Box with Painted Portrait

Located in Marbella, ES

19th century French papier mâché box with painted portrait.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Paper

French Art Deco Cigarette Box, Walnut Wood and Leather
French Art Deco Cigarette Box, Walnut Wood and Leather

French Art Deco Cigarette Box, Walnut Wood and Leather

Located in Miami, FL

A fine French Art Deco cigarette box, France, late 1930s. Very good quality, constructed of walnut

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Leather, Walnut

19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Guilloché Enamel Portrait Box
19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Guilloché Enamel Portrait Box

19th Century French Gilt Bronze and Guilloché Enamel Portrait Box

Located in Dublin, IE

A superbly crafted circular gilt bronze box of exceptional quality, featuring a rich turquoise-blue

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Cigar Humidor, Ebony Macassar Cigar Box, France 1960, Brown Color
Cigar Humidor, Ebony Macassar Cigar Box, France 1960, Brown Color

Cigar Humidor, Ebony Macassar Cigar Box, France 1960, Brown Color

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Very nice humidor cigar box, in Macassar ebony. This box is large, was made in France in the 1960s

Category

Vintage 1960s French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Ebony

Cigar Humidor Burl Wood Cigar Box France 1970 Brown Black Color
Cigar Humidor Burl Wood Cigar Box France 1970 Brown Black Color

Cigar Humidor Burl Wood Cigar Box France 1970 Brown Black Color

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Very nice humidor cigar box, in Burl Wood. This box is large, was made in France in the 1960s. It

Category

Vintage 1970s French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Wood, Burl

Arts and Crafts period copper cigar or tabac box, French circa 1900
Arts and Crafts period copper cigar or tabac box, French circa 1900

Arts and Crafts period copper cigar or tabac box, French circa 1900

Located in Central England, GB

This handmade French box dates to circa 1900 and it has been beautifully handcrafted using the

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Arts and Crafts Snuff Boxes and Tobacco...

Materials

Copper

Vintage French Baccarat Style Crystal Cigarette Box In The Shape Of A Bell
Vintage French Baccarat Style Crystal Cigarette Box In The Shape Of A Bell

Vintage French Baccarat Style Crystal Cigarette Box In The Shape Of A Bell

Located in Tampa, FL

with a silver finish and some neoclassical design with a ring to open the box. French, circa 1940s.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Pot or Box 19th Century Majolica France Ceramic Green with an Circular Handle
Pot or Box 19th Century Majolica France Ceramic Green with an Circular Handle

Pot or Box 19th Century Majolica France Ceramic Green with an Circular Handle

Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR

Kitchen box, Pot in Majolica. Vegetal Decor pattern. Green color. It has been made in France circa

Category

Antique 19th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

French Art Deco Cigarette Box or Makeup Pencil Holder by Marius Agogue Loiret
French Art Deco Cigarette Box or Makeup Pencil Holder by Marius Agogue Loiret

French Art Deco Cigarette Box or Makeup Pencil Holder by Marius Agogue Loiret

Located in Miami, FL

French Art Deco cigarette box, France, late 1930s. Constructed with fine mahogany and birch woods

Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Birch, Mahogany

Alligator Green Cigar Box
Alligator Green Cigar Box

Alligator Green Cigar Box

Located in Paris, FR

Cigar Box Alligator Green with all structure in solid cedar wood, box covered with alligator skin

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Brass

Hermès - Rare Cigarette Box, XXth century
Hermès - Rare Cigarette Box, XXth century

Hermès - Rare Cigarette Box, XXth century

By Hermès

Located in Beaune, FR

Rare silver-plated cigarette box with a gilt-plated deer head opening. It is in good condition and

Category

20th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silver Plate

Tobacco box with forest animals, 1910s.
Tobacco box with forest animals, 1910s.

Tobacco box with forest animals, 1910s.

Located in Lisboa, PT

back of the lid. France, 1910s.

Category

Vintage 1910s French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

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French Snuff Box For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the French snuff box you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, gold and wood, every French snuff box was constructed with great care. There are 381 variations of the antique or vintage French snuff box you’re looking for, while we also have 2 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without a French snuff box — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right French snuff box, those designed in folk art, Louis XVI and Empire styles are of considerable interest. Limoges, Louis-François Tronquoy and Cartier each produced at least one beautiful French snuff box that is worth considering.

How Much is a French Snuff Box?

A French snuff box can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,918, while the lowest priced sells for $35 and the highest can go for as much as $137,241.

Finding the Right Snuff-boxes for You

Today antique snuffboxes and tobacco boxes — as well as a lot of other vintage tobacco accessories — are collectibles and charming pieces of decor for any display case or to elevate your bookshelves.

Snuff, made of ground tobacco, was especially popular with Europeans in the 1600s. The ornate boxes to keep the powder dry became highly decorative by the 18th century. It was considered a must-have item, particularly for nobility.

The most important feature of a snuffbox was that it was airtight. The box protected the snuff from oxygen. Another crucial component was the flat lid.

Snuffboxes could be small enough to fit into a pocket or a larger container for communal use at the table. They also came in different shapes. Porcelain containers were prevalent and often designed to look like trunks. Others were oval or square. Boxes made with cowrie shells were rare and more expensive.

Snuffboxes were usually crafted from silver, gold, horn or tortoiseshell. Some of the most prestigious snuffboxes were French tabatières made of gold and sometimes glass. They could be adorned with amethysts, sapphires and diamonds and enameled, engraved or chased.

Sheffield, England, was known for its silver snuffboxes in the late 18th century as its silver-plating technologies perfected these containers. By the early 19th century, the silver industry in Birmingham, England, was producing elegant snuffboxes with images of abbeys and castles on the sides and top.

Another type of tobacco box was the snuff mull or mill. It was made out of horn or an entire ram’s head and topped with a metal lid, frequently featuring engravings and decorative hinges. These were fashionable in Scotland during the 19th century. The origin of its name is unclear.

On 1stDibs, find a plentiful range of antique snuffboxes and tobacco boxes to complement any home decor or furniture style. You can browse the collection by style, which includes Victorian, Georgian and Art Deco, or by material to find pieces in silver and gold.

Questions About French Snuff Box
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A snuff box is a small, decorated box used to store snuff ( scented, powdered tobacco). Snuff boxes come in two sizes: small pocket boxes and larger communal boxes for use at the table. Pocket boxes are often designed to retain a little amount of snuff for immediate use and are designed to hold a day or two's worth of snuff. On 1stDibs, shop a range of antique and vintage snuff boxes.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Snuff boxes first appeared in England during the 17th century and became widespread in the 18th century. Snuff boxes range from simple designs to elaborately decorations. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique snuff boxes from some of the world’s top sellers.