Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. Neoclassical furniture took its cues from the styles of ancient Rome and Athens: symmetrical, ordered, dignified forms with such details as tapered and fluted chair and table legs, backrest finials and scrolled arms.
Over a period of some 20 years, first in France and later in Britain, neoclassical design — also known as Louis XVI, or Louis Seize — would supersede the lithe and curvaceous Rococo or Louis XV style.
The first half of the 18th century had seen a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity. The "Grand Tour" of Europe, codified as a part of the proper education of a patrician gentleman, included an extended visit to Rome. Some ventured further, to sketch the ruins of ancient Greece. These drawings and others — particularly those derived from the surprising and rich archaeological discoveries in the 1730s and ’40s at the sites of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — caused great excitement among intellectuals and aesthetes alike.
Neoclassical furniture is meant to reflect both grace and power. The overall appearance of neoclassical chairs, tables and cabinetry is strong and rectilinear. These pieces are, in effect, classical architecture in miniature: chair and table legs are shaped like columns; cabinets are constructed with elements that mirror friezes and pediments.
Yet neoclassicism is enlivened by gilt and silver leaf, marquetry, and carved and applied ornamental motifs based on Greek and Roman sculpture: acanthus leaves, garlands, laurel wreaths, sheaves of arrow, medallions and chair splats are carved in the shapes of lyres and urns. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
As you can see from the furniture on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep neoclassicism fresh.
Find antique neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
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Style: Neoclassical
Antique French Neoclassical 18K Gold Snuffbox
Located in New York, NY
French Neoclassical 18k gold snuffbox, ca 1800. Oval with straight sides; cover hinged. On cover top is garden with lush vegetation and flower baskets inhabited by an alert dog eyeing up the birds; on underside is vase. Both have leafing scroll surround. On sides same alternating with cornucopias...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Gold
Louis Kuppenheim 1900 Germany Neo Classic Vesta Oval Box In .900 Silver Pill Box
Located in Miami, FL
Neo classic vesta box by Louis Kuppenheim.
A beautiful vesta box, created in Germany in the turn of the 20th century, back in the 1900. This superb pocket oval box was carefully crafted with neo classical patterns in solid .900/.999 silver. Show exceptional workmanship with remarkably details as you expect from the iconic jewelry workshop of Louis Kuppenheim. It is fitted with a hinge and a tension element for fastening opening and closing. Actually this box can be easily used as a pill box.
Weight: 24.3 Grams, (15.58 Dwt).
Measurements: 46 mm by 25 mm by 17 mm (1.81 x 0.98 x 0.67 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with German pre 1922 marks, the maker's mark LK inside an oval cartouche associated to the workshop of Louis Kuppenheim, the mark for the silver assay 900 and signed in the border rim, "LK .900".
Louis Kuppenheim
The company was grounded in 1854 by Louis Kuppenheim (1824-1889) and Heinrich Witzenmann, specialized in silver and gold and -enameled artefacts. On the World Exhibition in 1900 the firm received a gold medal for a letter opener. In that same year the company opened a branch in the Rue Richelieu 67 in Paris. In these years some designs by Hans Christiansen were executed, amongst them very delicately enameled silver cigarette cases. The enamels on the several silver and gold pieces was of very high standard, and sometimes even gems like rubies were applied. Very famous were the ladies silver vanity cases with cute animals like cats and monkeys...
Category
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
18th Century Decorative Lacquered Portrait Figures Wood Tobacco Snuff Box Black
Located in Brescia, IT
This antique and fine lacquered wood box, is painted on both the sides with an elegant portrait of a woman and on the other side a dancer.
The piece will be delivered with its certi...
Category
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
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
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
Silver Oval Box, 19th Century, with Hallmarks
Located in Madrid, ES
Oval box. Silver, 19th centu.
With contrast marks.
Oval box with flat lid made of silver, partially gilded, decorated on the outside with figurative scenes ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
Micromosaic Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional micromosaic snuff box represents the heights of this ancient art form. Depicting four doves sitting atop a bronze dish, the inse...
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Silver-Gilt Musical Snuff Box by François Nicole
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional Swiss silver-gilt musical snuff box was crafted by the famed François Nicole. At first glance, the diminutive piece appears to simpl...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Silver
German Porcelain Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important German porcelain snuff box exhibits delightful artistry and craftsmanship. Hand painted classical tableau celebrating the e...
Category
18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
German Neoclassical Painted Lacquer Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
By Stobwasser
Located in Spencertown, NY
German neoclassical round snuff box with ancient Roman scene.
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
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
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Agate, Gold
18th Century, English Georgian Lead Tobacco Keeper - Horse Finial
Located in Atlanta, GA
English, mid 18th century.
A great neoclassical example of an English community tobacco keeper. These traditional boxes are made of lead and design...
Category
Mid-18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Lead
French School 1790 Louis XVI Oval Snuff Box in 18kt Gold with Miniature Portrait
Located in Miami, FL
Presentation Snuff box from the 18th century French School.
A very important and rare Neoclassical oval box, made in Paris, France circa 1790. It was crafted with translucent natu...
Category
1790s French Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Gold
Snuff Box in the form of Columbine, with diamond eyes. Gouyn C1754.
By Charles Gouyn
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A marvellous little piece of porcelain from this little-known maker. A snuff box, modelled as Colombine from the Commedia Dell'Arte. The face would seem to be that of a particular ac...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Gold
French 1890 Etui Sealing Wax Case with Guilloche Blue Enamel in Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
French etui sealing wax case.
Exquisite objet d'art, created in Paris France in the late 19th century, circa 1890. This is a etui sealing wax case, mast...
Category
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Shepherd Box, Carved Horn or Antler, Spain, 1822
Located in Madrid, ES
Shepherd box. Carved horn. Spain, 1822.
Rectangular box made of carved horn that has a date (1822) engraved on the lid and front, a legend (Soi de Manuel Zulueta year 1822) and an...
Category
1820s Antique Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes
Materials
Other
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Other Hallmarks: Stamped in the outside border, with German importation marks; the German Crown mark, the retailer mark AT inside an oval and the 585 mark for the assay and warranty of the gold.
Henrik Immanuel Wigström born on 1862 and was a Finnish silver & goldsmith. He was one of the most important Fabergé workmasters along with Michael Perchin. Perchin was the head workmaster from 1886 until his death in 1903, when he was succeeded by his chief assistant Henrik Wigström. These two workmasters were responsible for almost all the imperial Easter eggs.
Henrik Wigström was born in Ekenäs, Finland, and was apprenticed to a local Danish born goldsmith named Peter Madsén, a successful manufacturer of silverware who was familiar with the jewellery trade in the city of St. Petersburg, as at one time he had had a workshop there. Once in Madsén's employment, his master's trade with Russia, as well as his numerous business contacts here, brought him to work in St. Petersburg. Goldsmith Werner Elfström employed Wigström as a apprentice on his arrival in the capital in 1875. Wigström became assistant in 1884, at the age of 22, to Perchin, whose shop at that time was already working exclusively for Fabergé.
Wigström became head workmaster at Fabergé after Perchin's death in 1903. The number of craftsmen in Wigström's workshop diminished drastically with the outbreak of World War I. By 1918, the Revolution forced the complete closing of the House of Fabergé. Aged 56, Wigström retreated almost empty-handed to his summer house, on Finnish territory, and died at Terijoki in 1923. His art is similar to Perchin's but tends to be in the Louis XVI, Empire, or neo-classical style. Nearly all the Fabergé hardstone animals...
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Puiforcat Paris French Neoclassical Louis XVI Repousse Oval Pill Box in Sterling
By Puiforcat
Located in Miami, FL
Pill box designed by Jean Puiforcat.
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Have a total weight of 47.9 Grams and a measures of 66 mm by 45 mm by 18 mm (2.6 x 1.77 x 0.70 Inches).
Stamped, with French hallmarks, the maker's mark, the Athena portrait for the silver assay and signed, "PUIFORCAT".
Jean Elysée Puiforcat, was a French silversmith, sculptor and designer. Miller's Antiques...
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Silver, Sterling Silver
H 0.7 in W 2.6 in D 1.77 in
Russian 1898 Moscow Niello Rectangular Snuff Box in .875 Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Russian snuff box designed by Ivan Sergeyevich Lebedkin.
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Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
H 0.87 in W 2.83 in D 1.5 in
Oval Neoclassical Sterling Silver Snuff Box
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very refined neoclassical style snuff or pill box that is designed to be worn as a locket. The oval box is very sophisticated with an elegant engraved border center by a si...
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Sterling Silver
Neoclassical snuff boxes and tobacco boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical snuff boxes and tobacco boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage snuff boxes and tobacco boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical snuff boxes and tobacco boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original snuff boxes and tobacco boxes, popular names associated with this style include Fabergé, Henrik Wigström, Louis Kuppenheim, and Puiforcat. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for snuff boxes and tobacco boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $512 and tops out at $29,500 while the average work can sell for $1,777.