18th Century and Earlier Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

A magnificent, exceptional, fine and impressive, rare antique 17th century Dutch silver tobacco box; an addition to our smoking related silverware collection. This exceptional antique Dutch silver tobacco box has an oval rounded form. The underside of this impressive Dutch tobacco box is embellished with exceptional chased decorated scene depicting a lady draped across soft furnishings and accompanied by a bearded male, with putto* observing this act amidst a stately garden backdrop; this scene can be perceived to be connected to artistic works portraying Venus, Vulcan and Cupid. The sides of this exceptional box are encompassed with chased decorated grotesque mask and scrolling leaf decoration, accented with floral motifs, all on a matte background. This silver tobacco box retains the original hinged cover embellished with further chased decoration depicting a male and female character eating and...

An extremely rare antique English George III Rococo pressed tortoiseshell, ormolu and Battersea enamel snuff box. This beautiful oblong box is in pristine condition and has been well...

This fine wood lacquered wood case is painted both on the sides: there is the elegant portrait of a pretty woman on one side and on the other side, a natura...

A fine antique English South Staffordshire or Battersea enamel table snuff box. With a pink ground and white enamel latticework decoration thro...

Trimmed in elegant yellow gold is this polished English agate snuff box. Distinguished by the dynamic patterning of the agate, the exquisite vessel i...

This luxurious Louis XV-period gold snuffbox was crafted by master French goldsmith Germain Chayé. Formed of 18-karat yellow gold, this exceptional box d...

Unusually large, inlaid with crystal, amber and silver. Engraved with thistles, inside cover carved 1741, Wilm. Ruthven, WH. Provenance; Fountain Walker collection.

18th Century French Walnut Wooden Snuffbox, "Le Patre" French Walnut Wooden Snuffbox Titled "Le Patre" Walnut wooden box with a scene of a landscape Beautiful detailed cut scenery o...

SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). The cover set with an enamel panel...

A fine and rare antique 18th century South Staffordshire or Battersea enamel table snuff box. The lid has a scene of two noble, young couples in...

A fine antique English Battersea Bilston table snuff box. A very rare round form! With a pink ground, floral spray decoration, and gilt bronze mou...

A fine antique French or German porcelain snuff box. Dating to the 18th (or possibly early 19th) century. Decorated throughout with...

A good antique figural bird form Battersea or South Staffordshire enamel bonbonniere. The lid has bronze mount and a bird on a branch decoration....

Large and circular box featuring two shades of gold. The removable lid is embellished with detailed, concentric lines and with a central medallion representing a dove flying over a f...

A wonderful, antique figural bird form Battersea or South Staffordshire enamel bonbonniere. The lid is decorated with a bird on a branch in a lan...

Very funny little snuff box with a text about Etimologie; the true learning or real learning, on the lids outside and a hidden erotic motive on the inside of the lid.

- A hugely rare and intimate piece of British history: Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson's snuff box - Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson (1758–1805) is one of the most celebrated figures in British history, best remembered for his heroic efforts during the Napoleonic wars. Nelson's career as a naval officer saw him lead the British fleet to several victories, during which he suffered injuries, including the loss of his right arm and the sight in his right eye. His most famous victory came in October 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar, in which the Royal Navy decimated the combined fleets of the French and Spanish navies. Prior to the battle, Nelson sent out the famous message "England expects that every man will do his duty". Tragically, he was shot by a French sniper and died on board his ship the HMS Victory mid battle. His body was returned to England where he was granted a state funeral, and numerous monuments were erected in his honor, including Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, London. This tortoiseshell composition snuff box was originally owned by Lord Nelson, and features a miniature watercolor scene of the Amalfi coast on the top. The box was gifted by Nelson to his personal secretary George Unwin, during a dinner party in Sicily in late 1798 or early 1799 which was also attended by Nelson's mistress, Emma, Lady Hamilton. Nelson had first met Hamilton in 1793 and the pair were reunited in 1798 following the Battle of the Nile. Having been severely injured, Nelson recuperated in Naples, during which time he was nursed back to health by Lady Emma and her elderly husband, Sir William Hamilton. It was during this period that Nelson and Hamilton began their famous love affair, which lasted until Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It seems highly possible that Nelson gave this gift to Unwin as a show of generosity, in an attempt to impress his mistress over dinner. The snuff box is offered along with a manuscript letter by Unwin's son, George, which reads in full: "My Father had either lost his own snuff box on going ashore or in some shop in Palermo and upon mentioning the circumstances at Lady Hamilton’s table where Lord Nelson was one of the party his Lordship...

18th Century French walnut wooden snuffbox French walnut wooden snuffbox Beautiful detailed cut scenery, celebrating people The text will be probably "rejouissance mamand" (festiv...

A rare figural porcelain snuff box in the form of a mouse attributed to Mennecy porcelain. Having a porcelain mounted lid with wonderfully hand-...

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.

A rare George III pewter tea/tobacco canister. The beaded lip is repeated in ring moldings on the domed lid which terminates in an acorn finial. The canted base of the canister repea...

A beautiful antique Queen Anne solid silver tobacco box with a classic oval form. The fitted lid has an intricate engraved armorial, and the interior is gilded. Made in London, En...

Candy box in green varnish and gold frame. The inside of the box is fully lined with tortoiseshell. The removable cover presents a decoration of guilloché patterns in concentric circ...