Snuff boxes date from a time when snuff taking was a popular habit, from 18th to mid 19th century. Snuff boxes could be exquisitely made and valuable; the cheapest were made from potato pulp. The habit lingered on amongst the aristocracy and monarchy. Snuff is pulverised tobacco and is 'sniffed' up the nose.

What is an old snuff box?

Snuffbox, small, usually ornamented box for holding snuff (a scented, powdered tobacco). ... The mull, a silver-mounted ram's head, is a large table snuffbox. Some snuffboxes were worn as articles of jewelry during the 18th century.

What was the purpose of a snuff box?

Snuff boxes are generally pocket sized boxes designed to hold a few grams of snuff for immediate consumption, or communal boxes made for table use.