This is an early to mid 1800's lignum vitae snuff mortar and pestle . It was used to grind snuff from the tobacco leaves. This example has lovely colour and figuring to the wood and has some ring turned decoration on the base of the mortar.

Nice to have the pestle with it.

The mortar measures 9.5 cm h x 4cm w at the top.

Declaration

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Treen Snuff Mortar to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1231700

Dealers Notes

Own a piece of history

Description

This is an early to mid 1800's lignum vitae snuff mortar and pestle . It was used to grind snuff from the tobacco leaves.

“

This example has lovely colour and figuring to the wood and has some ring turned decoration on the base of the mortar.

Opus Antiques

Nice to have the pestle with it.

The mortar measures 9.5 cm h x 4cm w at the top.

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Treen Snuff Mortar to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1231700

About the Dealer

Opus Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2014

Antique treen, boxes & decorative georgian items

Dealer Profile

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

PDF

SAVE

A hand-turned wooden snuff mortar and pestle crafted from contrasting dark and light grain hardwood.

1 / 3

Archive I

An Antique Treen Snuff Mortar and Pestle

Archive II

A hand-turned wooden snuff mortar and pestle crafted from contrasting dark and light grain hardwood. View II

Archive III

A hand-turned wooden snuff mortar and pestle crafted from contrasting dark and light grain hardwood. View III

Opus Antiques

Telephone 07941 285 532

Location

North Devon
United Kingdom

Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/opusantiques

Verified Since Oct 2014

Items For Sale 94

Items Sold 2,371

Opus Antiques

Verified Since Oct 2014

View Dealer Info

Location: North Devon, United Kingdom

Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/opusantiques

Verified

Oct 2014

For Sale

Sold

2,371

An Antique Treen Snuff Mortar and Pestle

Ref: SA1231700

Your Name

Phone Number

Email Address

Message

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

Sustainable Choice

Frequently Asked Questions

Strictly Vetted Dealers

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.

Secure Transit

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.

The Sustainable Choice

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.

FAQs

Treen refers to functional domestic objects crafted entirely from wood, with snuff mortars being turned vessels produced during the 18th and 19th centuries specifically to grind tobacco leaves into fine powder for inhalation.

Craftsmen selected dense hardwoods such as lignum vitae, boxwood, walnut, or fruitwood due to their durability and capacity to withstand friction during the grinding process.

Authentic items display evidence of historical lathe turning, natural shrinkage across the wood grain over time, deep surface patina from handling, and smooth interior wear from practical usage.

Small treen objects function as tactile historical accents when arranged alongside ceramics, glass vessels, or books on shelves and sideboards.

Keep wooden items clear of direct heat sources and moisture, dusting regularly with a clean microfibre cloth and applying natural beeswax paste to maintain the surface finish.