Tobacco was a product of the New World, its "discovery" one result of the Age of Exploration. Sir Walter Raleigh is traditionally credited with the initial introduction of tobacco into England and Europe, although scholars now disagree on this point. Raleigh's recognition is somewhat ironic. He was a political opponent of King James, who considered smoking a "barbarous custom," an accusation some modern readers may agree with! In another touch of irony, the use of tobacco was once thought to be a potential cure for cancer.

Tobacco in the form of snuff was one of its earliest and most popular uses in Europe. This fashion started on the continent in the 16th Century, and the custom was believed to have been started in England by Charles II upon his return from France around 1660.

Snuff was tobacco grated then ground into a powder that varied from coarse to fine. It was taken in a pinch between the fingers and inhaled into the nose. Snuff could be light or dark, moist or dry, and even could have various scents added to it.

Eventually, the taking of snuff became very fashionable at all levels of society. Such an elegant product required an equally stylish container. From the first, snuff boxes were made to be more than simply a container to hold the tobacco powder. The earliest dated box (from the mid-17th Century) is silver, and collectors have examples of boxes made with gold, diamonds, and ivory, as well as more common materials. The term "snuff box" is more difficult to date, as it often referred to small boxes in general, including small candy boxes.

Snuff boxes became popular gift items among the middle class and royalty. Frederick the Great is reputed to have kept one in every room, and special guests often received a box as a memento. Napoleon used snuff and often carried a supply of elaborately made boxes for gifts. Snuff gradually lost its appeal and snuff boxes today can only be found in museums and private collections. The snuff boxes shown here from David Markham's collection reflect those primarily used and given by the upper middle class since they include precious materials in their construction.

Snuff Boxes

Contributing Editor David Markham is the editor of the Napoleonic Society of America Bulletin. He collects snuff boxes and similar items, as well as porcelains, prints, and books. His decorative arts collection has been featured in several exhibitions, including one in 1989-90 at the Phoenix Art Museum, entitled "Napoleon the Great: Selections from the David Markham Collection." Other museum displays are currently in the planning stages.

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