How do I date a brass snuff box?

Dating relies on stylistic markers such as Dutch Baroque engraving, Georgian proportions, or Edwardian lettering styles. Contemporary inscriptions and dates scratched or engraved onto the metal offer the most reliable chronological anchors. Material combinations also guide attribution, as seventeenth and eighteenth-century pieces favour heavy gauge brass, while mid-nineteenth-century examples frequently incorporate turned fruitwood and piquet wire.

Were these boxes only used for tobacco?

While primarily manufactured to hold dry snuff or loose tobacco, many surviving examples served secondary purposes as pocket trinket containers or holding receptacles for small personal items. The larger table variants accommodated larger quantities for communal use. Inscriptions naming specific occupations, such as boilermakers or miners, suggest these personal objects accompanied workers during daily labour.

What is a misers snuff box?

A miser's box incorporates a secure opening mechanism that restricts the user's ability to take excessive amounts of tobacco. These containers frequently combine brass hardware with turned wooden bodies. They reflect the social habits surrounding tobacco consumption during the nineteenth century, when rationing personal supplies was common practice.

How should I clean a brass snuff box?

Preserving the surface requires leaving natural patination and aged tarnish undisturbed, as aggressive polishing removes historical wear and engraved detail. Gentle dusting with a dry cloth is sufficient for maintenance. Harsh chemical cleaners strip the dark oxidation that accumulates over centuries, diminishing the visual depth of the metal.

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Brass Snuff Box

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A brass snuff box carries the tangible weight of personal history, designed for pocket use or table service.

18th century

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Table Snuff Box

From Devonshire Antiques

£1,250

FOR SALE

boxes

19th century

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A Delightful Misers Snuff Box

From Gerard Robinson Fine Art and Antiques

£245

FOR SALE

boxes

18th century

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A Rare and Interesting Dutch Early 18th Century Heavy Gauge Brass Table Snuff or Tobacco Box

From Gerard Robinson Fine Art and Antiques

£245

FOR SALE

boxes

18th century

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18th Century Bilston Enamel Patch Box / Bonbonniere Circa 1780

From Treaders Collectables

£1,200

FOR SALE

boxes

18th century

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18th Century South Staffordshire Snuff Box Top / Lid

From Treaders Collectables

£900

FOR SALE

miscellaneous

19th century

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Dated 19th Century Dutch Tobacco Box

From Carse Antiques

£125

FOR SALE

boxes

A Very Fine Georgian Mahogany Snuff Box in the Shape of a Shoe

18th century

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A Very Fine Georgian Mahogany Snuff Box in the Shape of a Shoe

From Gerard Robinson Fine Art and Antiques

£250

FOR SALE

boxes

19th century

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A Charming 19th Century Brass Snuff Box with an Inscription. Take a Pinch and Welcome

From Gerard Robinson Fine Art and Antiques

£225

FOR SALE

boxes

Antique Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Table 19th C

19th century

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Antique Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Table 19th C

From Regent Antiques

£275

FOR SALE

tables

A George 111 Gold Plated Engraved Oval Snuff Box

18th century

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A George 111 Gold Plated Engraved Oval Snuff Box

From Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors

£290

FOR SALE

boxes

Listings demonstrate materials including brass, fruitwood, mahogany, horn, and mother-of-pearl across pieces spanning the seventeenth to the twentieth century.

← 1 2 →

Brass Snuff Box

Table Snuff Box

A Delightful Misers Snuff Box

A Rare and Interesting Dutch Early 18th Century Heavy Gauge Brass Table Snuff or Tobacco Box

18th Century Bilston Enamel Patch Box / Bonbonniere Circa 1780

18th Century South Staffordshire Snuff Box Top / Lid

Dated 19th Century Dutch Tobacco Box

A Very Fine Georgian Mahogany Snuff Box in the Shape of a Shoe

A Charming 19th Century Brass Snuff Box with an Inscription. Take a Pinch and Welcome

Antique Italian Capodimonte Porcelain Table 19th C

A George 111 Gold Plated Engraved Oval Snuff Box

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