Darling Antique Treen Square Toed Shoe Snuff Box with

THE STORY - There is something I find magical about little Antique Boxes, be they carry jewels, powder, pins or snuff. This little box was carved to carry snuff and it is beautifully carved into the shape of a gentleman's shoe, from fruitwood which is of a beautiful rich warm brown and the patina it has gathered over the years is glorious. The shape of the shoe is for me very organic in form and I simply adore the flat square shaped toe of the shoe, although it makes me wince every time I look of it thinking how uncomfortable that shape shoe would have been to wear. The lid of the snuff box simply slides on and off and I have to say I think this must of been a table snuff box as the lid does not nor do I think it ever did engage securely into the box, so it would of been impossible to take it out and about with you as all your snuff would fall out into your pocket.

AGE - Circa 1860

CONDITION - The Snuff Box is in very good condition, there is a very small dent in the wood on the toe of the shoe (best seen in the third photo) and a tiny slight mark to the wood on one side near the top (best seen in the second photo). As I have already mentioned the lid does not stay secured shut and slides in very easily, as you can see from the photo the lid fits perfectly to the shoe, so it make have always of been this way.

DIMENSIONS (Approx) - Length 3&1/4" / 8cm, Height 1&1/2" /4cm, Depth 1" / 2.5cm

It makes me smile when I think about this little snuff box and its easy sliding lid, it make me wonder whether its original owner was a particular lover of Snuff and wanted easy and quick access to it whenever the desire came over them. But I think what makes me smile the most is the beautiful shape of this Snuff Box with its wonderful gentle curves that form the shape of the shoe.