Sniff Pill Box
Antique 18th Century Dutch Colonial Decorative Boxes
Brass
Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Agate, Gold, Silver
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Vintage 1940s Russian Empire Barware
Crystal
20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Decorative Boxes
Bone
Antique 1850s British Early Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Lebanese Islamic Decorative Boxes
Fruitwood
Antique Early 1900s Indian Dutch Colonial Decorative Boxes
Metal, Copper
Antique Early 1900s Russian Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Gold, Enamel
Antique 18th Century Dutch Colonial Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Brass
Mid-20th Century Lebanese Moorish Decorative Boxes
Fruitwood
Vintage 1910s Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Brass, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Iron
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Iron
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Silver
20th Century Federal Decorative Boxes
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Wicker, Cork, Plexiglass, Lucite, Acrylic, Rattan, Straw
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
Jacaranda, Rosewood, Cocobolo
20th Century Chinese Decorative Boxes
Enamel
Finding the Right snuff-boxes for You
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. Today antique snuffboxes and tobacco boxes — as well as other vintage tobacco accessories — are collectibles and charming pieces of decor for any display case or to elevate your bookshelves.
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.
- What are pill boxes made of?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Pill boxes can be made out of just about any material, from precious metals to plastic and wood. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique and contemporary decorative pill boxes in a variety of materials from some of the world’s top sellers.
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