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19th Century Sterling Silver Snuffbox Birmingham 1848 by Rolason Bros

About the Item

Lovely little sterling silver snuffbox, fully hallmarked with gold plated interior. Lovely chasing on lid and sides, classic high Victorian repousse work, the central cartouche is blank (a bonus if you want to personalize it !!) Both the base and lid have matching marks. Makers mark is “R.B”, probably Rolason Brothers, Birmingham Anchor mark, Lion Passant, Date Letter 'Z' for 1848. "Inhaling snuff, or snuffing, as it is also called, was first witnessed by a European in 1493, when Friar Ramón Pane, who had arrived in the new world courtesy of Christopher Columbus, was living as a missionary among Haiti’s indigenous Taino. Until then, tobacco had been unknown to Europeans, but the use of tobacco spread like a weed on the continent during the 1500s. By the second half of the 17th century, ornate boxes were being produced to keep the precious powder dry. Provenance: Bought Privately in the UK.
  • Creator:
    Rolason Brothers (Metalworker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)Width: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
  • Style:
    High Victorian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Sterling Silver,Repoussé
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1848
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Very good original condition.
  • Seller Location:
    Dallas, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3978112226221
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