#snuff boxes

Six naval snuff boxes, 19th century

Since the 16th century, neither chocolate nor tobacco could be missing in Europe. Smoking was also accepted by the population, including the sailors. The smoking lamp was introduced in the 16th century so that the Sailors could smoke there. But this was not always possible and so many Sailors resorted to snuff as an alternative. Initially, this was kept in a bag and ground with a tobacco mill. From the 17th century onwards, the ready-made snuff powder was produced in factories and could be transported in small snuff boxes. 

A papier mâché table snuff box with a naval battle, early 19th century (x)

Such large table boxes were often placed on the table at larger parties, from which all those present could help themselves. Naval battles and heroes were a popular motif, so that the host could show off his patriotism.

The centre of snuff box production was in France. The boxes were made of gold, silver, ivory, porcelain, enamel, glass, stone, mother-of-pearl, shells, horn, wood, steel, copper, brass, crystal or bone.

An enamelled gold snuff box, 1820-30 and a scrimshawed snuff box made of horn, mid 19th century (x) (x)

Here, the high nobility mainly used golden porcelain and enamel boxes set with precious stones or in gold, while the lower nobility and the middle classes were content with simpler boxes made of less precious materials such as papier-mâché.

This is a brass commemorative box, made to celebrate the Battle of Doger Bank, 1781 (x) 

This only posed a problem at sea, because the humidity softened the papmache boxes and not only broke them but also made the tobacco damp. For this reason, the sailors often resorted to horn, shells, wood and bone, while the officers usually used the more valuable materials such as silver, horn, brass and enamel. This was because cultured snuffing was considered the most elegant form of tobacco enjoyment and the tobacco box was an integral part of the fashionable appearance of a man of the time.

Two wooden snuffboxes in the shape of a warship, suitable for both individual and group use. The two were made by POW at the beginning of the 19th century (x) (x) 

To conform to social etiquette, possession of at least one of the precious tins was expected. The possession of a tin, however, was not yet a guarantee of the owner's elegance; only its elegant use and the observance of all the rituals for its use testified to the owner's elegance.

A heart shaped snuff box, engraved with an image of the Francis Ridley a Ship which carried emigrants to Austalia, 1848 and five Staffordshire enamel naval theme snuff boxes, late 18th-early 19th century - These small boxes were very popular with officers and were also often given as love tokens to the ladies of desire. (x) (x)

When using the box, the following steps were also to be followed: First, the can was grasped with the left hand and taken. Then it was tapped once, the can was opened and offered to the company. Then the tin was pulled back towards oneself and the tobacco was collected in the tin by tapping on its side. The tobacco was then taken with the right hand, held in the fingers for some time, finally brought to the nose and snuffed properly and without grimacing. Finally, it was sneezed, coughed, spat out and the tin was closed.

Snuff box commemorating Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) and Lord Nelsons personal, tortoiseshell snuff box, 18th century (x) (x)

Whaler made scrimshaws, whalebone, 19th century

Six naval snuff boxes, 19th century

False.

I saw many snuff boxes made of pewter, gold, silver and brass—but none made of lead. Another thing about snuff boxes is that they were exclusively for the rich. Plus, during the French Revolution, soldiers switched to smoking tobacco instead of snuffing it, and this spread in popularity with civilians as well. The only lead anything I could find associated with snuff boxes were tobacco canisters.