Snuff boxes are small, decorative containers used to store and carry powdered tobacco, known as snuff. The use of snuff dates back to the 16th century, and the popularity of snuff boxes grew along with the popularity of snuff itself.

Some of the European countries where snuff-taking was popular include:

•    France: Snuff-taking was particularly popular in France during the 18th century. The French royal court was known for its elaborate snuff boxes and the habit was popular among the French aristocracy.

•    England: Snuff-taking was introduced to England in the 17th century and quickly became popular among the upper classes. Many English gentlemen carried snuff boxes and the habit was seen as a sign of good manners and social status.

•    Germany: Snuff-taking was popular in Germany during the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly among the aristocracy.

•    Spain: Snuff-taking more...

72 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A stunning antique French snuff box in two-tone 18ct yellow and…

Antique French Two-Tone Gold Snuff Box with Engraving, 19th Century

A stunning antique French snuff box in two-tone 18ct yellow and rose gold, beautifully decorated with engine turned engraving plus lyre and wreath shield, early 19th century, housed in original scarlet leather box with silk and velvet lining. Near mint…

A 19th century European tortoiseshell & gold circular snuff box,…

A 19th century European tortoiseshell & gold circular snuff box, the lid with hand painted and metal layered townscape and vitruvian scroll border

A Georgian pique tortoise shell snuff box, c.1820, inlay with…

A Georgian pique tortoise shell snuff box, c.1820, inlay with gold & paua shell, 2 x 5 x 3.25 cm

Victorian sterling silver, gold and enamel snuff box,…

Victorian sterling silver, gold and enamel snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham, 1881, C.C (Colen Hewer Cheshire), retailer Kilpatrick & Co., of oval form decorated with flowers, foliage and symbol in yellow gold, rose gold and enamel, with inscription to…

9ct Dutch gold snuff box, marked, of pillow form, decorated…

9ct Dutch gold snuff box, marked, of pillow form, decorated with reeded body and with floral and foliate motifs, total weight 54gm, 7.5 cm x 4.5 cm. Provenance: collection of the late Fredric Sinfield, Sydney NSW, 1938 - 2008

English 9ct gold castle top snuff box and cover, hallmarked,…

English 9ct gold castle top snuff box and cover, hallmarked, London, 9ct, 1970, I.Freemans & Sons Ltd, of rectangular form, with chased image of Windsor castle, with raised border and reeded sides, total weight 31gm, 4 cm x 2.7 cm. Provenance: collection…

George III 18ct yellow gold snuff box, hallmarked London, 1811,…

George III 18ct Gold Snuff Box, London 1811, Provenance Sinfield

George III 18ct yellow gold snuff box, hallmarked London, 1811, 18, of rectangular form with a hinged cover, with continuous engine turned decoration, total weight 93gm, 7.5 cm x 4.5 cm. Provenance: collection of the late Fredric Sinfield, Sydney NSW,…

An 18ct gold Continental (likely German) snuff box 'C.1,800'…

18ct Gold Blue Enamel Continental Snuff Box with Classical Scene

An 18ct gold Continental (likely German) snuff box 'C.1,800' having blue enamel panels with white dot and lined engine turning. With vine and beaded enamel border decoration. Having an oval shaped painted classical scene on lid and with stamped hallmarks…

Victorian 18ct snuff box, machine decorated 18ct solid yellow…

Victorian 18ct Machine Decorated Gold Snuff Box

Victorian 18ct snuff box, machine decorated 18ct solid yellow gold snuff bo x 100.56 grams

Georgian carved tortoiseshell & gold snuff box applied gold…

Georgian Gold & Tortoiseshell Snuff Box with Damage

Georgian carved tortoiseshell & gold snuff box applied gold decoration test as 15ct. 7 cm diameter. Damage to the tortoiseshell

Late Victorian tortoise shell snuff box sterling silver hinge…

1908 Tortoise Shell Snuff Box with Gold Inlay

Late Victorian tortoise shell snuff box sterling silver hinge with gold inlaid lid panel dated 1908

An antique enamelled gold and agate snuff box, an oval agate…

Enamelled Agate Gold Snuff Box with French Inscription

An antique enamelled gold and agate snuff box, an oval agate nodule cross section set lid to chalcedony base with 18ct gold engraved fittings featuring gold text 'En Amour Constant Sincere En Amitte' in a ground of white enamel, proably French, size 43 x…

Two horn snuff mulls, English, 18th/19th century, comprising a…

English Horn Snuff Mulls - 18th/19th Century

Two horn snuff mulls, English, 18th/19th century, comprising a ribbed table snuff box with a rose gold banding and shield to the hinged lid, and a brass mounted polished horn box, the polished horn box 5 cm wide, 10 cm high

An antique English sterling silver pocket snuff box with rose…

English Sterling Silver Snuff Box with Rose Gold Shield Top

An antique English sterling silver pocket snuff box with rose gold shield top, 19th century, 8 cm wide

19th century tortoiseshell & gold pique work snuff Box

Tortoiseshell & Gold Pique Snuff Box, 19th Century

19th century tortoiseshell & gold pique work snuff Box

A late 18th century tortoiseshell and pique snuff box, the…

Pique Inlaid Tortoiseshell Snuff Box

A late 18th century tortoiseshell and pique snuff box, the circular lid pique inlaid with a two colour gold and silver trophy game group and flower spray within a scroll and floral tendril border. Some faults. Diameter 7 cm.

Two Georgian papier mache snuff boxes and a miniature gold…

Georgian Snuff Boxes and Miniature Gold Ivory Box

Two Georgian papier mache snuff boxes and a miniature gold inlaid ivory box, early 19th century, a black lacquered box with delicate silver inlaid borders and floral forms, and a smaller rounded edge box with either contemporary or later faux malachite…

Georgian tortoiseshell snuff box, 18th century, of rectangular…

18th Century Georgian Tortoiseshell Snuff Box with Gold Inlay

Georgian tortoiseshell snuff box, 18th century, of rectangular form with continuous c-scroll, geometric and floral engine turned decoration, the hinged cover set with central gold pique floral spray, with brass mounts and thumbpiece, 3.5 8 5.5 cm,…

19th century four colour gold snuff box, marked for Charles…

19th Century Four Colour Gold Snuff Box by Charles Collin

19th century four colour gold snuff box, marked for Charles Collin & Sohne of Hanau. Weight 79.2g. 8.5 by 3.2 cm, 2.2 cm high, tests as 14ct.

An early 19th century French porcelain and silver snuff box,…

French Porcelain and Silver Snuff Box with Gold Foils

An early 19th century French porcelain and silver snuff box, polychrome enamelled and highlighted with applied repousse gold foils of classical figures and scrolls laid over painted landscapes and floral swags. The silver rimmed lid and base with traces…

A French gold and silver combination snuff box and table watch,…

French Gold and Silver Snuff Box with Table Watch

A French gold and silver combination snuff box and table watch, the top with a glass inset hinged lid revealing an engraved plate set with a pocket watch movement signed 'S. Marchant, London'. The silver sides and base with applied gold decoration of…

A George III sterling silver large snuff box, the rectangular…

George III Snuff Box with Mackay Clan Crest

A George III sterling silver large snuff box, the rectangular body and lid with engine-turned decoration, applied cast foliate thumb-piece and border, and a gold gilt interior. The top engraved the Mackay clan crest, maker Daniel Hockley, hallmarked…

A Georgian circular snuffbox, carved ivory with tortoiseshell…

Georgian Ivory Snuffbox with Rose Gold Mount

A Georgian circular snuffbox, carved ivory with tortoiseshell interior and rose gold mount, circa 1800, 8 cm diameter

An Austrian 14 carat gold snuff box, 1920s, stamped 585, Vienna…

Austrian 14K Gold Snuff Box with Floral Engraving, 1920s

An Austrian 14 carat gold snuff box, 1920s, stamped 585, Vienna mark and numeral 4 for 4th gold standard, rubbed maker's marks, an engine turned box of waisted form with a decorative floral and scroll engraved rim, 1924 inscription to the interior lid,…

An outstanding 18th century two colour gold and hardstone…

18th Century Two Colour Gold and Hardstone Snuff Box

An outstanding 18th century two colour gold and hardstone panelled snuff box, of rounded oblong shape with slightly concave walls, the hinged lid with a conforming shaped inset panel of agate revealing attractive translucency and diverse colour when…

A gold and moss agate snuff box, of oblong shape, the hinged…

Gold and Moss Agate Snuff Box with Chiseled Decoration

A gold and moss agate snuff box, of oblong shape, the hinged lid, base and sides set with panels of veined and moss figured cafe-au-lait agate. The unmarked gold framing with chiseled and wiggle-work decoration. 7.4 x 5.4 x 3.9 cm.

A French circular snuff box, tortoiseshell with hand-painted…

Hand-painted French Snuff Box, Late 18th Century

A French circular snuff box, tortoiseshell with hand-painted city scene surrounded by rose gold mount, late 18th century, 7.5 cm diameter

Gold snuff box, a 17ct yellow gold faceted hinged rectangular…

Gold Snuff Box with Engraved Foliage and Tourmaline Clasp

Gold snuff box, a 17ct yellow gold faceted hinged rectangular box, engraved with scrolling foliage and lion's head, engraved '26 Dicembre 1928?, foldover clasp with bezel set cabochon green tourmaline, stamped 'Ca 720', 91.11 grams height 1.3 cm width 4.7…

four antique snuff boxes, three Georgian and one Victorian,…

Antique Snuff Boxes: Georgian and Victorian Era

four antique snuff boxes, three Georgian and one Victorian, circa late 18th to early 19th century, two snuff boxes in horn with tortoiseshell lids, one with decorative silver, inlay, a lacquerware box with remnant gold stencil designs, and a mauchline,…

Georgian tortoiseshell snuff box with gold inlay, width 6.5 cm…

Georgian Gold Inlaid Tortoiseshell Snuff Box

Georgian tortoiseshell snuff box with gold inlay, width 6.5 cm depth, 4 cm

A Victorian gold snuff box, of rectangular form, with inscribed…

Victorian Gold Snuff Box and Money Clip Set

A Victorian gold snuff box, of rectangular form, with inscribed monogram 'A.J.', in 14ct gold, 55 mm x 40 mm x 14 mm, together with a money clip in reeded 14ct gold, 45 mm x 30 mm.

Early 19th century French 18ct gold snuff box, curved…

French 18ct Gold Enamel Snuff Box

Early 19th century French 18ct gold snuff box, curved rectangular with fine chase pattern, blue enamel highlights

19th century tortoiseshell & gold pique work snuff box basket…

Tortoiseshell & Gold Snuff Box with Basket Weave Design

19th century tortoiseshell & gold pique work snuff box basket weave design with hinged lid

Fine William IV sterling silver gilt table snuff box engine…

William IV Sterling Silver Gilt Snuff Box, London 1830

Fine William IV sterling silver gilt table snuff box engine turned, with cast floral borders, the hinged lid with applied gold plaque with engraved initials, London, 1830.

An 18ct gold Continental (likely German) snuff box 'C.1800'…

18ct Gold Enamel Snuff Box with Classical Scene

An 18ct gold Continental (likely German) snuff box 'C.1800' with blue enamel panels over dot and lined engine turning. With vine and beaded enamel border decoration. Having an oval shaped painted classical scene on lid and with stamped hallmarks inside.…

Gold & micromosaic snuff box 19th century. Gold repair to one…

Gold Micromosaic Snuff Box with Hallmarks, 19th Century

Gold & micromosaic snuff box 19th century. Gold repair to one corner, partial loss to back. Hallmarked twice inside. Gold tests as 9ct. Provenance: A former diplomatic family based in the ACT (collection formed in the 1950s & 60s); by descent to the…

A George III tortoiseshell and gold inlay snuff box late 18th…

George III Tortoiseshell and Gold Inlay Snuff Box

A George III tortoiseshell and gold inlay snuff box late 18th century inscribed initials and bearing date to top of box, height 2.3 cm, width 7.8 cm, depth 5 cm

Late Georgian horn snuff box and cover, in form of goat foot,…

Goat Foot Horn Snuff Box with Gold Thumb Piece

Late Georgian horn snuff box and cover, in form of goat foot, with lid set with gold thumb piece, length 6.5 cm

A 19th century pressed tortoiseshell snuff box, the lid with…

19th Century Tortoiseshell Snuff Box with Gold Panel

A 19th century pressed tortoiseshell snuff box, the lid with plain recessed gold panel, gold plated thumb piece. 6.6 cm x 4.1 cm x 2 cm. Provenance: The Flower Family Collection.

An early 19th century silver and tortoiseshell snuff box,…

Spanish Armada Snuff Box

An early 19th century silver and tortoiseshell snuff box, rounded rectangular form, the lid with gilt metal (gold) inlaid shield cartouche and decorative oval framing, the silver mounts with engraved decoration, enclosing a stone fragment and written…

Gold mounted ivory snuff box with portrait miniature of a…

18th Century Gold Mounted Ivory Snuff Box with Portrait Miniature

Gold mounted ivory snuff box with portrait miniature of a gentleman, late 18th century, French or Swiss, of oval shape, the lid set with a hand painted portrait miniature depicting a gentleman in period dress, ornate with engraved gold mounts, the…

A 19th century or earlier Japanese steel and decorative gold…

Japanese Gold & Steel Snuff Box

A 19th century or earlier Japanese steel and decorative gold applied sword fitting snuff box, the fuchi and kashira Japanese katana sword fittings converted to a silver lined snuff box, engraved plant (orchid) and blossom highlights applied with gold.…

English sterling silver cigarette case, hallmarked, 1972,…

English Sterling Silver Cigarette Case and Snuff Box

English sterling silver cigarette case, hallmarked, 1972, London, of slender rectangular form, with engine turned decoration, with gold plaque, together with Edwardian sterling silver snuff box and cover, of oval form, hallmarked Birmingham, 1903, P& F,…

A fine French three coloured 18 carat gold snuff box, circa…

French 18ct Gold Three-Coloured Snuff Box, 1800

A fine French three coloured 18 carat gold snuff box, circa 1800, mark B&M with crown to the interior, gold punch marks, an oval hinged box of engine turned design, with neoclassical borders and trims in contrasting rose and 'Green' gold; gold marks to…

Swiss Vari-Color gold snuff box, c. 1800, 18ct yellow gold, of…

Swiss Vari-Color Gold Snuff Box, c. 1800

Swiss Vari-Color gold snuff box, c. 1800, 18ct yellow gold, of oval form with engine-turned decoration throughout within a border of laurel leaf garlands and shells, maker's mark 'B & M' beneath a crown, approx. Weight 58 grams height 2.6 cm length 5.6 cm…

An 18th/19th century 18ct. yellow gold, silver and bloodstone…

18ct. Gold and Bloodstone Snuff Box

An 18th/19th century 18ct. yellow gold, silver and bloodstone snuff box, the lid with bloodstone panel, the lid frame and sides of 18ct. gold, the later base in silver. 43 cm x 45 cm

A George III silver snuff box by John Shaw, Birmingham 1809,…

George III Silver Snuff Box with Queen Anne Guinea Inset

A George III silver snuff box by John Shaw, Birmingham 1809, bright cut with the name Henry Cardwell Jnr, the cover with inset Queen Anne gold guinea 1713

A Hardy Brothers 12 carat gold snuff box, circa 1906, with an…

Hardy Brothers 12ct Gold Snuff Box with Inscription

A Hardy Brothers 12 carat gold snuff box, circa 1906, with an inscription to the inside of the hinged cover, 42.9 gms

A Russian rectangular tri-colour gold snuff box by Johann…

Russian Tri-colour Gold Snuff Box by Keibel, 1830

A Russian rectangular tri-colour gold snuff box by Johann Wilhelm Keibel (1788-1862), circa 1830, the hinged cover with an applied diamond shaped section of foliate scrolls on a matt ground surrounded by a border of scrolling yellow and red gold and…

A European rose gold and enamel oval table snuff box, 19th…

Enamel Rose Gold Snuff Box with Musical Scene

A European rose gold and enamel oval table snuff box, 19th century, probably Swiss, the hinged cover with an enamel panel of musicians serenading a young couple within a band of enamel flowers and blue bands and yellow guilloche enamel, similarly…

Cigarette & snuff box. Gold water gilt 800 silver, two…

Gold and Silver Cigarette Box with Enamel and Malachite

Cigarette & snuff box. Gold water gilt 800 silver, two compartment box, chased decoration in part, set with blue enamel & malachite, main lid decorated with oleograph, painted in the 16th century style of the three scholars, cased, width 9 cm

A rare early 19th century tortoiseshell and gold framed and…

Tortoiseshell Snuff Box with Rubens Portrait Miniature

A rare early 19th century tortoiseshell and gold framed and lined snuff box with portrait miniature, of rectangular form, the portrait of Peter Paul Rubens painted on ivory panel under glass, set to the hinged lid; testing as 14ct gold, quality concealed…

A Continental silver, gold, tortoiseshell and mother of pearl,…

Mythical Horse Mosaic Snuff Box

A Continental silver, gold, tortoiseshell and mother of pearl, pictorial snuff box c.1690, the top decorated with mosaic scene depicting a mythical horse and figurative subjects. Height 1.3 cm. Width 8 cm. Depth 6 cm

A 19th century Swiss tortoiseshell musical snuff box, the…

Swiss Musical Snuff Box with Tortoiseshell Design

A 19th century Swiss tortoiseshell musical snuff box, the musical mechanism with a choice of two tunes, wound with a key from below. Rectangular shape with gold thumbpiece, two gold discs on the front slide to actuate the music and change the tune, gold…

18ct yellow gold George III snuff box with applied decoration,…

George III Snuff Box with Applied Decoration in 18ct Gold

18ct yellow gold George III snuff box with applied decoration, and engine turning. Hallmarked c1818, Alexander James Strachan, approx 108g & 8 cm x 4 cm

A 9ct yellow gold snuff box. Weight: 81.8g

9ct Gold Snuff Box - 81.8g

A 9ct yellow gold snuff box. Weight: 81.8g

French gold snuff box, late 19th century stamped 'B.F'., 18ct…

Late 19th Century French Gold Snuff Box

French gold snuff box, late 19th century stamped 'B.F'., 18ct yellow gold, weight 39gm.

Russian Karelian birch wood table snuff box, with gold and…

Russian Birch Wood Snuff Box with Gold Clasp

Russian Karelian birch wood table snuff box, with gold and cabochon clasp, hallmark and maker mark rubbed, 8.5 cm long

A gold inlaid ivory snuff box, 19th century. 9 cm wide

Gold Inlaid Ivory Snuff Box, 19th Century

A gold inlaid ivory snuff box, 19th century. 9 cm wide

A fine gold snuff box, 14ct yellow gold, hallmarked with…

14ct Gold Snuff Box with Foliate Engraving

A fine gold snuff box, 14ct yellow gold, hallmarked with indistinct marks, possibly Austrian, crafted as a small rectangular case with flared corners, engraved to case top in foliate detail and central woven patination, hinged to reveal a gold washed…

A French snuff box by Christian Petschler, the oval snuff box…

Christian Petschler French Enamel Snuff Box with Miniature Portrait

A French snuff box by Christian Petschler, the oval snuff box featuring blue enamel on engine turned detail, centred with an oval miniature portrait, all within surrounds of green and gold foliate detail, in 18ct gold, French hallmarks, circa 1820 67 mm x…

A rectangular Russian three-colour gold snuff box, Johann…

Russian Three-Colour Gold Snuff Box by Keibel, 1830

A rectangular Russian three-colour gold snuff box, Johann Wilhelm Keibel, 1788-1862, circa 1830, the lid chased with foliate and geometric motifs in diamond shape formation, foliate corner spandrels within a fine foliate line border, the scrolling red and…

A German four-colour gold snuff box, Hanau, late 18th century,…

18th Century German Four-Colour Gold Snuff Box

A German four-colour gold snuff box, Hanau, late 18th century, oval, the surface finely reeded within coloured gold interlacing foliate borders, the side panels alternating with trailing roses, the centre of the cover engraved with later crests, the…

A George IV gold snuff box, Alexander James Strachan, London…

George IV Gold Snuff Box by Alexander James Strachan

A George IV gold snuff box, Alexander James Strachan, London 1824, the oblong gold box with engine-turned cover, sides and base within plain wide reeded borders, 9.5 cm long, 200 gms

A German gold and enamel snuff box, Les Freres Toussaint, Hanau,…

Enamelled German Gold Snuff Box, 1780

A German gold and enamel snuff box, Les Freres Toussaint, Hanau, prestige marks, circa 1780, slender oblong form, the sides and base enamelled in translucent sepia enamel featuring classical architecture in landscapes, within enamel berry and leaf borders…

A German vari-coloured gold snuff box, maker's mark indistinct,…

18th Century German Gold Snuff Box with Agricultural Motifs

A German vari-coloured gold snuff box, maker's mark indistinct, probably Les Freres Toussaint, Hanau, mid 18th century, rectangular, engine turned with fine reeding to body, the cover and base with central chased and engraved cartouche, the cover…

A German gold and enamel snuff box, maker's mark a crowned 'J',…

German Gold and Enamel Snuff Box with Equestrian Scene

A German gold and enamel snuff box, maker's mark a crowned 'J', French prestige marks, the rectangular box with canted corners, engine-turned body, the enamelled lid depicting a uniformed gentleman on horseback accompanied by his dog beside an estuary…

A German gold and enamel snuff box, Les Freres Toussaint, Hanau,…

Blue Enamel Peacock Feather Snuff Box, Hanau 1790

A German gold and enamel snuff box, Les Freres Toussaint, Hanau, circa 1790, the oval gold box enamelled in a translucent royal blue to a sunray guilloche ground, the cover featuring three gold peacock feathers with floral sprigs and tied with a ribbon,…

A gold pique and tortoiseshell and gilt bronze snuff box,…

18th Century French Snuff Box with Gold and Tortoiseshell

A gold pique and tortoiseshell and gilt bronze snuff box, French 18th century. 8 cm wide, 4 cm high

A French oval tri-colour gold snuff box, Paris, circa 1769/1770…

French Tri-Coloured Gold Snuff Box, Paris 1769/1770

A French oval tri-colour gold snuff box, Paris, circa 1769/1770 the lid and underside having a chased foliate central cartouche within an engine turned ground with guilloche borders, the sides fluted with classical borders, makers marks, charge and…

Georgian ebony & gold snuff box, as inspected, 6.1 cm wide

Georgian Ebony & Gold Snuff Box - 6.1cm wide

Georgian ebony & gold snuff box, as inspected, 6.1 cm wide

A Georgian tortoiseshell lidded snuff box oval with gold…

Georgian Gold-Engraved Tortoiseshell Snuff Box with Lid

A Georgian tortoiseshell lidded snuff box oval with gold engraving shield, circa 1810. Length 6.3 cm