6,058  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY 0  ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS
ID #SA1220554
FOR SALE
£495
Email
Save
19th Century English Folk Art Snuff Coffin Puzzle Box
Heavenly Antiques
for sale €579     $629
£495

Heavenly Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2026
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    Specialists in antique furntire and decorative antiques from 17th to the 19th century
Id #SA1220554
PDF SHARE
SAVE

19th Century English Folk Art Snuff Coffin Puzzle Box

1900 - 1920
Description

An interesting novelty 19th century snuff box puzzle in the shape of a coffin. The outside of the coffin is decorated with brass pin work decoration. At either end of brass carrying handle. The lid slides sideways and there is a paper motto 'You're a tricky chap. Take a pinch of snuff then find the little stiffin'.

The top section then pushes up and off to reveal a smaller coffin. The lid in turns slides sideways and there is another motto 'Now find my brother'. The smaller coffin has brass carrying handles, one of which if you pull hard enough pulls out to reveal a carved skeleton.

The base lid swings out, presumably where you could store a small amount of snuff.

Finely crafted with a coffin-shaped form, the box reflects the period’s interest in mortality, remembrance, and personal memento objects. The interactive puzzle element adds both charm and collectability, making it an exceptional piece for collectors of folk art, antique boxes, and historical curiosities.

Declaration

Heavenly Antiques has dated this Folk Art Coffin Snuff Box to the Edwardian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1220554
Dealers Notes

Open 6 days a week Tuesday to Saturday 10AM - 5PM and 11AM to 4PM on Sundays

The Cow Shed Collective

Crowmarsh Hill

Crowmarsh Gifford

Wallingford

OX10 8BG

Follow us on Instagram @thecowshedcollective

Follow us on Facebook The Cow Shed Collective

Stocking a wide array of antique furniture and decorative antiques from the 17th century to early 20th century

You can Whatsapp video us to view any piece on either +447882521185 or +7710106462

We accept payment via bank transfer, card or cash

We ship worldwide, for international enquires please whatsapp us in the first instance

Description
An interesting novelty 19th century snuff box puzzle in the shape of a coffin. The outside of the coffin is decorated with brass pin work decoration. At either end of brass carrying handle. The lid slides sideways and there is a paper motto 'You're a tricky chap. Take a pinch of snuff then find the little stiffin'.

The top section then pushes up and off to reveal a smaller coffin. The lid in turns slides sideways and there is another motto 'Now find my brother'.

The smaller coffin has brass carrying handles, one of which if you pull hard enough pulls out to reveal a carved skeleton.
Heavenly Antiques
fig 1. A coffin-shaped wooden puzzle snuff box decorated with a central brass plate and metal studs.
fig 1. 19th Century English Folk Art Snuff Coffin Puzzle Box

The base lid swings out, presumably where you could store a small amount of snuff.

Finely crafted with a coffin-shaped form, the box reflects the period’s interest in mortality, remembrance, and personal memento objects. The interactive puzzle element adds both charm and collectability, making it an exceptional piece for collectors of folk art, antique boxes, and historical curiosities.

Date of Manufacture

Heavenly Antiques has dated this Folk Art Coffin Snuff Box to the Edwardian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1220554
Heavenly Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2026

Specialists in antique furntire and decorative antiques from 17th to the 19th century

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Heavenly Antiques Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A coffin-shaped wooden puzzle snuff box decorated with a central brass plate and metal studs.
1 / 4
Archive I A coffin-shaped wooden puzzle snuff box decorated with a central brass plate and metal studs.

19th Century English Folk Art Snuff Coffin Puzzle Box

Archive II A coffin-shaped wooden puzzle snuff box decorated with a central brass plate and metal studs. View II
Archive III A coffin-shaped wooden puzzle snuff box decorated with a central brass plate and metal studs. View III
Archive IV A coffin-shaped wooden puzzle snuff box decorated with a central brass plate and metal studs. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 01491 905679
Location
The Cow Shed Collective
Crowmarsh Hill
Wallingford
Oxfordshire
OX10 8BG
United Kingdom
Verified Since May 2026
Items For Sale 104
Items Sold 13
Heavenly Antiques
Verified Since May 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: The Cow Shed Collective , Crowmarsh Hill, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BG, United Kingdom
Verified
May 2026
For Sale
104
Sold
13
A coffin-shaped wooden puzzle snuff box decorated with a central brass plate and metal studs.
19th Century English Folk Art Snuff Coffin Puzzle Box
Ref: SA1220554
A coffin-shaped wooden puzzle snuff box decorated with a central brass plate and metal studs.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Coffin-shaped puzzle snuff boxes were hand-carved novelty containers popular during the nineteenth century, often crafted by artisans, sailors, or miners as personal keepsakes. Their trick opening mechanisms were designed to keep contents secure and amuse the owner.

These boxes were typically crafted from hardwoods such as oak, fruitwood, or mahogany, held together with wooden pegs, iron nails, or brass pin studs. Internal locking mechanisms utilised concealed wooden slides, hidden pivots, or pressure plates.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-carved joinery, non-uniform metal stud placement, and natural surface wear consistent with age and handling. The internal locking mechanisms usually show hand-fitted craftsmanship rather than machine precision.

Small folk art objects add texture and historical interest when displayed on open bookshelves, coffee table trays, or styled alongside books in a study. Grouping distinct small wooden curios together creates an engaging focal point.

Keep wooden puzzle boxes in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct heat sources and high humidity to prevent timber shrinkage or swelling. Apply a light coat of natural beeswax polish periodically to nourish the wood surface.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories