NAVIGATION

A Fine English Oval Snuff Box with Cut and Gilded Horn Lid Decorated with a ‘Trophy of Arms’ 
Fine Condition 

17th Century 

Size: 2cm high, 10.5cm wide, 8.5cm deep - ¾ ins high, 4 ins wide, 3¼ ins deep 

Belgium CITES: 2025/BE01054/CE

Snuff taking as a habit among all classes in Britain and not just as a fashionable addiction of London society dates from the introduction of ready ground snuff in 1702. Under the command of Sir George Rooke the British fleet in 1702, some way off Cadiz, captured from the Spanish several thousand barrels of choice Spanish snuff and near Vigoa another cargo of Havana snuff intended for their home market. All of this vast quantity of ‘sneezing powder’ was sold at the English seaports at very low prices, as the proceeds were to be prize money for the benefit of the sailors and naval officers. Thus was the general habit of snuff taking born in Britain.

Ex Private collection 
Ex Finch and Co catalogue number 19, item number 10 
Ex Private Irish collection 

Belgium CITES: 2025/BE01054/CE