Snuff Box, England, 1771-1830

Papier mache snuff box, circular, detachable lid with sepia print entitled "A Beast" two late 18th century gentlemen at a table, one being sick due to too much smoking, English, 1771-1830

Two gentlemen are pictured sitting at a table surrounded by tobacco and smoking pipes. One is comforting the other who is being sick after too much smoking. The illustration is titled ‘A Beast’, probably referring to the effects shown in the picture. The papier mâché box was used to store snuff, tobacco that is snorted or inhaled through the nose. Snuff, a powdered form of tobacco, was popular in the 1700s and 1800s for its stimulating nicotine boost and was also believed to help relieve common colds and stop snoring.