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...

40 items found:

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

Victorian sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham,…

Victorian sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham, 1849, N.M (Nathaniel mills), of shaped rectangular form, the hinged cover with central c-scroll medallion, surrounded by continuous acanthus decoration to sides and base, total weight 49gm, 6 cm…

George III sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked,…

George III sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked, Birmingham, 1810, W.P (William Pugh), of curved rectangular pocket form, engraved with roundel displaying cornucopia of flowers on a ground with repeating scale motif, the lower hinged base…

George IV Scottish sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked…

George IV Scottish sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Glasgow, 1824, J.M, of plain rectangular form, the hinged cover engraved with inscription 'Presented to//Mr. David Smith//by a few friends,' with gilt interior, total weight 49gm, 5.5 cm x 3.5 cm.…

George III sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked,…

George III sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked, Birmingham, 1805, I.S (John Shaw), of rectangular pillow form, with central engraved initials, surrounded by lattice and flower work, total weight 27gm, 4.8 cm x 3 cm. Provenance: collection of…

Hanau silver snuff box, 830, marks to base, of rectangular form,…

Hanau silver snuff box, 830, marks to base, of rectangular form, the hinged cover embossed with three dancing children, with c-scroll and acanthus decoration to sides, with gilt interior, total weight 27gm, length 4.2gm. Provenance: collection of the late…

George III sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham,…

George III sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham, 1808, Wb (William boot), of ribbed rectangular form, the hinged cover opening to a gilt interior, total weight 48gm, 6.5 cm x 4 cm, together with a matched sterling silver spoon (2). Provenance:…

George III silver and shell snuff box and cover, c.1790, set…

George III silver and shell snuff box and cover, c.1790, set with shell cover, above a silver mount and lower hinged silver base, length 4.7 cm. Provenance: collection of the late Fredric Sinfield, Sydney NSW, 1938 - 2008

George III sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked,…

George III sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked, Birmingham, 1797, I.T (Joseph Taylor), of rectangular form, with engraved line work to the body and cast floral thumb piece, engraved 2193 Thomas Street to interior, total weight 46gm, 1.8 cm x 6…

Scottish George IV sterling silver snuff box and cover,…

Scottish George IV sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked, Edinburgh, 1827, N.Richie, of shaped form, engraved with crest of Russell, opening to gilt interior, total weight 60gm. Provenance: collection of the late Fredric Sinfield, Sydney NSW,…

18th century silver snuff box, spoon and coin, unmarked,…

18th century silver snuff box, spoon and coin, unmarked, possibly Irish, of oval form, with inset cover, engraved with motto of Earl of Caledon, with gilt interior and spoon and George III 5 pence coin 'Bank token five Pence Irish 1806,' total weight 60gm…

Edwardian sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham,…

Edwardian sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham, 1905, Jr (John rose), with Soviet assay marks, of shaped rectangular form, the hinged cover engraved with acanthus motifs, with gilt interior, total weight 46gm, 5.5 cm x 4 cm. Provenance:…

Early 20th century ottoman silver snuff box, marked, of oval…

Early 20th century ottoman silver snuff box, marked, of oval form with a hinged cover, continuously embossed with flowers and c-scroll motifs, total weight 59gm, length 7 cm. Provenance: collection of the late Fredric Sinfield, Sydney NSW, 1938 - 2008

Early 20th century Hanau silver snuff box, marks to base, with…

Early 20th century Hanau silver snuff box, marks to base, with Austrian import mark, of shaped casket form, the hinged cover embossed with Royal figure seated on throne, surrounded by embossed acanthus border, the sides embossed with putti, medallions and…

18th/19th century Swedish silver snuff box, marked with three…

18th/19th century Swedish silver snuff box, marked with three crowns, I B (Johan Bergman Lulea), of oval form, decorated with incised scrolling foliage to top, with foliate banners to side, total weight 40gm, 7.5 cm x 4.5 cm. Provenance: collection of the…

George III sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham,…

George III sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham, 1813, J L (John Lawrence & Co), of curved rectangular form, decorated with scene of Britannia seated by a shield and holding a spear, with roundel with monogram surrounded by flags, weapons and…

Early 20th century Swedish silver snuff box, marked 1905,…

Early 20th century Swedish silver snuff box, marked 1905, Kristianstadt, B.Erlandsson, of elliptical form, the hinged cover engraved with Swedish inscription and acanthus, with gilt interior, total weight 74gm, length 8.3 cm. Provenance: collection of the…

Indian Colonial silver snuff box, marked Orr Sil 44 (P. Orr &…

Indian Colonial silver snuff box, marked Orr Sil 44 (P. Orr & Sons of Madras), of rectangular form, the hinged cover engraved with the coat of arms of Victoria, total weight 76gm, 4 cm x 6.5 cm x 4 cm. Provenance: collection of the late Fredric Sinfield,…

19th century Russian silver and niello snuff box, marked 84, A.…

19th century Russian silver and niello snuff box, marked 84, A.K//1852 (Andrei Kovalski), with makers mark, of rectangular form, the hinged cover decorated with architectural scene, with geometric decoration to sides and landscape scene to base, with gilt…

Victorian Scottish sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked…

Victorian Scottish sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Edinburgh, makers mark rubbed (possibly Walker Crichton), of rectangular form with rounded corners, with a hinged cover, continuously engraved with medallions, acanthus motifs and decorative borders…

George III sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked,…

George III sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked, Birmingham, 1807, William Pugh, of curved rectangular form, with central diamond engraved with 'John Rofs' surrounded by engraved flower heads and foliage, with inset cover, total weight 48gm, 7…

George III sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked,…

George III sterling silver snuff box and cover, hallmarked, Birmingham, 1799, I.T (Joseph Taylor), of deep rectangular form with chamfered corners, the hinged cover set with rectangular plaque, surrounded by engraved leaf and flower border, total weight…

Late George III sterling silver and agate snuff box and cover,…

Late George III sterling silver and agate snuff box and cover, marked R.H (Richard Haxton) eight times, working Edinburgh, c.1,800-1820, set with a raised circular agate panel, the border set with a raised foliate border and waisted sides, total weight…

19th century Russian silver and niello snuff box, marked 84,…

19th century Russian silver and niello snuff box, marked 84, makers mark in Cyrillic, of rectangular form, the hinged cover decorated with architectural scene, with decorative borders to sides and base, with gilt interior, total weight 46gm, 6 cm x 3 cm.…

Napoleon III parcel gilt silver and niello snuff box and cover,…

Napoleon III parcel gilt silver and niello snuff box and cover, c.1880, by Claude Doutre-D.Roussel of 18 Rue du temple, beautifully decorated with central image of Madonna and Child in rural landscape, flanked by scroll work, the lower section decorated…

American sterling silver and enamel snuff box, marked W&B (Ward…

American sterling silver and enamel snuff box, marked W&B (Ward & Bartholomew) of elliptical form, the hinged cover with engine turned oval medallion, surrounded by engraved radiating motif, accented with blue and white enamel rings, with engine turned…

George III Scottish sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked…

George III Scottish sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Edinburgh, 1806, B&F, of rectangular form with canted corners, the hinged cover engraved with central monogram within a laurel wreath, with engraved borders to cover and base, total weight 102gm, 2…

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

19th century Russian silver and niello snuff box, marked 84,…

19th century Russian silver and niello snuff box, marked 84, assayer Nikolay Dubrovin, of rectangular form, the hinged cover decorated with three soldiers on horseback, with c-scroll border, with mirror to underside, with architectural scene to the base,…

George III sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham,…

George III sterling silver snuff box, hallmarked Birmingham, 1824, J.W (Joseph Willmore), of rectangular form, the hinged top cover engraved with inscription 'Major Holgate//to//Lieut Matson' within a rectangular plaque, surrounded by engine turned…

19th century Russian silver niello snuff box, mark 84, Moscow,…

19th century Russian silver niello snuff box, mark 84, Moscow, 1840, assayer Nikolay Dubrovin, of rectangular form, decorated with central roundel with monogram surrounded by scrolling floral and foliate motifs, together with a Russian silver coin, marked…

19th century Russian silver niello snuff box and cover,…

19th century Russian silver niello snuff box and cover, hallmarked, Moscow, 84, H.A//1898, O.B (in Cyrillic) of curved rectangular pocket form, one side decorated with castle scene, the other decorated with man playing an instrument while a lady dances…

Van turkey silver snuff box, marked, of rectangular form,…

Van turkey silver snuff box, marked, of rectangular form, decorated with flowers and foliage with stamp to top, surrounded by a checker board pattern, total weight 100gm, 9.5 cm x 6.5 cm. Provenance: collection of the late Fredric Sinfield, Sydney NSW,…

George IV sterling silver and tortoiseshell snuff box, mark of…

George IV Snuff Box with Pique Scene

George IV sterling silver and tortoiseshell snuff box, mark of Joseph Willmore, Birmingham, 1828, of rectangular shape with engine-turned base, the lid decorated with pique scene, gilded interior, hallmarked, lid (A/F) weight 124 grams. Provenance:…

Tamworth Interest. Sterling silver snuff box engraved…

George Clarke's Snuff Box and Voyage Diary

Tamworth Interest. Sterling silver snuff box engraved 'Presented To Mr. George Clarke Of The Western Bank Of Scotland By A Few Friends On The Occasion Of His Leaving Glasgow For Tamworth, Sept. 1858', stamped 'D.P.' with Birmingham mark for 1856. 2.5 cm…

Antique sterling silver snuff box for Hardy Bros Sydney, marked…

Hardy Bros Sydney Sterling Silver Snuff Box, 1912-13

Antique sterling silver snuff box for Hardy Bros Sydney, marked Birmingham, HB, 1912-13, 80g & 8 cm long

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

Edwardian sterling silver tobacco/snuff box stamped Hardy Bros.,…

Edwardian Sterling Silver Tobacco Box by Hardy Bros

Edwardian sterling silver tobacco/snuff box stamped Hardy Bros., hallmarked Birmingham 1904, 95 grams approx., 8 cm wide approx

Edwardian sterling silver tobacco/snuff box, stamped Hardy Bros.…

Edwardian Sterling Silver Tobacco Box by Hardy Bros

Edwardian sterling silver tobacco/snuff box, stamped Hardy Bros., hallmarked Birmingham 1904, 95 grams approx., 8 cm wide approx.

Small sterling silver snuff box, with presentation engraving…

Archbishop's Gift: Sterling Silver Snuff Box, 1900

Small sterling silver snuff box, with presentation engraving 'Presented To His Grace Archbishop O'Reily by Protestant Residents of Glen Osmond 16th July 1900', hallmarked Birmingham 1852, maker Edward Smith, 7.3 cm wide, 93 grams approx, john O'Reily…