Victorian Papier-Mâché Snuff Box, Black Lacquer with Gold Details

A lovely example of a Victorian lacquered papier-mâché snuff box, in excellent condition.  The box is a deep, rich black, with a lid embellished by delicate gold striping and a charming metal inlay (also painted gold).  This is a beautiful little object in remarkable condition for its age with only the barest of scratches and indentations.  On the base of the box are the letters “J. METHUEN,” presumably hand-etched by the original owner!  The box would display beautifully on a gentleman’s desk or side table, perhaps holding a treasured pair of cufflinks or some other keepsake.

Snuffboxes were used for containing snuff, a mixture of ground tobacco and scented oils, and were very popular from the 18th century into the early 1900s when snuff-taking was popular.  Papier-mâché was an ideal material for snuff boxes because it was inexpensive and also maintained the correct humidity for the tobacco.  The production process was incredibly labor-intensive, involving building up to 100 layers through repeated application and baking to make the box hard and water-resistant.

Dimensions: 2-1/8” L x 1-1/8” W x 7/8” H

Condition Notes: In excellent overall condition with only very minor scratching and indentations consistent with age and use.  Lid closes firmly and snugly.  Owner’s name etched by hand on base.  See photos for more detail or contact shop with questions.