Tobacco Snuff Box

Decorated Tobacco Snuff Box from Virginia with Shoe Design.

During the 18th century snuff was extremely fashionable, especially among the Virginia gentry and its addiction crossed gender lines. Snuff was made from dried tobacco that has been ground into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle to grind it at home. Scented oils were added to provide aroma. Individual blends were very popular in the 18th century when snuff-taking was fashionable. Virginia tobacco was a highly desirable product both in American and abroad. The making of snuff became a commercial trade.

These decorative boxes were used for storing snuff. These wooden boxes would preserving the scented blends which would be captured in the wood. The use of snuff in American was widespread. In Virginia, the gentry utilized decorative snuff boxes such as the wooden shoe as a fashion statement in the 18th century.

Beautiful condition. approx 5″ – From Margie and Gordon Barlow Collection  – See Page 196 – “Virginia in the Revolutionary War” by Margie and Gordon Barlow