Snuff box

Snuff taking was a fashionable pastime among the wealthy in the eighteenth century. Snuff boxes themselves were important status symbols. They were considered collectible and often given as presents. This one is pocket sized and hinged to prevent the lid coming off and spilling the contents. It is also designed to be airtight in order to keep the snuff inside fresh. Box lids were often inlaid with semi-precious stones like agate for decorative purposes. This gold plated box is a cheaper imitation of the more ornate boxes used by the rich. It would have belonged to someone who aspired to a higher social status.