Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
1820s Neoclassical Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Other
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Glass
19th Century Georgian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Yew
19th Century European Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Bronze
Early 20th Century Russian Art Deco Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Multi-gemstone, Gold
2010s Danish Modern Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Brass
1940s French Vintage Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Crystal, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Paper
18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Brass
Late 20th Century Indian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Bronze
Early 1800s English George III Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Sterling Silver
1890s British Victorian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Glass, Wood
19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Stone, Gold
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Brass
19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Silver
18th Century Indian Antique Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Jade, Gold
20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Gold, Enamel
Antique Snuffboxes for Sale on 1stDibs
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.