An Unusual and Finely Carved Coconut 'Bugbear' Pocket Snuff Box

An Unusual and Finely Carved Coconut ‘Bugbear’ Pocket Snuff Box
Silver piqué inlaid and hinged tortoiseshell base and feathered silver rim, the coconut top carved with Masonic symbols and bugbear face, the hinged base inlaid with a silver piqué five pointed star
Circa 1780 – 1810
Size: 9 cm long, 6 cm wide, 2.5 cm deep – 3½ ins long, 2¼ ins wide, 1 ins deep
In the 18th century the snuff box was the gift for all occasions. It was the accepted diplomatic gift, a gift of friendship or a plight of love. It could also be a peace offering as recorded by Laurence Sterne in his 'Sentimental Journey'. Having once refused an appeal for alms from a Franciscan monk, on their second meeting he try's to make amends; 'having a snuff box in his hand, presented it open to me - you shall taste mine - said I, pulling out my box, which was a small tortoise one, and putting it into his hand 'tis most excellent, said the monk; then do me a favour, I replied, to accept of the box and all, and when you take a pinch out of it, sometimes recollect it was the peace offering of a man who once used you unkindly, but not from his heart'.

An Unusual and Finely Carved Coconut 'Bugbear' Pocket Snuff Box

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+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

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ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk