Antique silver squeeze box

An oval pebble-shaped tobacco box with delicate hand-engraved decoration. This ingenious, streamlined, Edwardian silver box has a flush lid that pops open when the sides are squeezed and could be used for a variety of purposes.

Throughout European and colonial history in the 18th and 19th centuries the snuff box was a major, often bespoke, indispensable personal possession made in a variety of materials from gold and silver to tortoiseshell or horn. The snuff box was usually small, flat and smooth enough to slip in and out of a pocket. It was seen as a suitable small gift in a variety of circumstances and most were decorative items carried on the person as much for display as use. It was even acceptable for ladies to participate in taking tobacco or snuff.