At the beginning of Queen Anne’s reign the taking of snuff became popular in England, thought to be as a result of the vast amounts which infiltrated the London market following the capture of Spanish ships carrying snuff in the action of Vigo Bay. It had been introduced to Europe many years before, the Spaniards having first tried it following the discovery by Cortes of Mexicans taking snuff in 1520. The taking of snuff persisted despite two popes issuing bulls against the strange new habit, and, in fact, became exceedingly fashionable during the eighteenth century. It still has a following today.

Snuff boxes were made to suit all financial means and came into general use during the earlier years of the eighteenth century, the number produced soon increasing to meet the demand. Those intended to be carried are distinguishable from the tobacco box by a hinged lid, which was necessary in order that one hand could be left free to take the snuff. Larger, hingeless types were made for side-tables in the home. Lids invariably fitted perfectly so that the fine powder would not escape in the pocket. Snuff boxes in Sheffield plate were generally rectangular although other shapes were also produced and tortoiseshell was commonly used for linings, bases and covers. It is not difficult to distinguish between sterling silver and Sheffield plate examples since, quite apart from quality and the fine decoration on silver examples, the Sheffield plate version has usually worn at the edges and corners to reveal the glow of the copper. Those made in precious metals might be plain or decorated, perhaps richly embossed and gilded, and set with precious and semi-precious stones or incorporating enamel miniatures.

Antique Collector MagazineEighteenth century silver examples abound, one of their most attractive characteristics being the beauty of the hinges which might merge into the decorative patterns in such a way as to be sometimes almost indistinguishable. Nineteenth century examples were also decorated variously, but unlike earlier examples also included mechanical ornament. Many of the more pedestrian specimens can show great signs of wear, perhaps being dented or with ill-fitting lids, though high prices may still be asked. Try to avoid anything too dilapidated.

Tobacco boxes

By the last few years of the sixteenth century, tobacco was being smuggled into Cornwall in growing quantities by Flemish, French and Cornish men. The habit of smoking was increasing and the clay pipe was fast becoming an accepted indulgence. Silver tobacco boxes appeared a few decades later, growing in numbers until, by the turn of the eighteenth century, they had become quite numerous. Usually oval in shape with a separate lid, those made during the earlier years of the century were merely functional containers, which were usually undecorated, but might perhaps have a cartouche for a crest or initials. The fashion for oval tobacco boxes began to decline towards the middle of the eighteenth century, although later copies were made.

Nutmeg graters

A curious little box, the nutmeg grater was in constant use by both men and women throughout the eighteenth century and for many years of the nineteenth. They owed their popularity to our ancestors’ addiction to freshly-ground spices in food or drink, particularly punch, mulled ales and wines or hot negus. Simple, early nutmeg graters of the late seventeenth century and beginning of the eighteenth century were usually of a heart shape or ‘teardrop’ form and, like most of their successors, they were just large enough to hold a nutmeg. In general they had two hinged ‘lids’, the second of which was what would usually form the base of the box. Beneath the normal lid would be a fitted rasp or grater, and the nutmeg would be kept in a cavity below this. It would be removed via the hinged base, grated on the rasp and the flow of powdered spice allowed to escape through the bottom. Another type, tubular in form, had a separate lid and a removable rasp inside, and other versions also existed. Early examples might be decorated in a primitive way, perhaps with a crudely-engraved flower or the owner’s initials.

Many types appeared during the eighteenth century, running concurrently with a simple rectangular box similar to a snuff box. They included acorns, reeded barrels, eggs, urns, maces, walnuts, strawberries, goblets and silver-mounted cowry-shells, to mention but a few. Ornament included engraving and bright-cutting. Nineteenth century examples were increasingly decorated by mechanical means, a popular technique being that of engine-turning, and most of the later examples were rectangular or box-shaped. Very small, lightweight nutmeg graters made during the eighteenth century are commonly found without hallmarks. Nutmeg graters were also produced in Sheffield plate from the 1760s, including heart-shaped boxes, egg-shaped, urn-shaped, circular, oval, rectangular and square. As with silver, the variety of forms was diverse.

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Snuff boxes