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Thomas Bolsover Sheffield Plate Snuff Box


RichardB

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A very rare example of Old Sheffield Plate table snuff box. Snuff boxes like these are far scarcer than silver examples. The domed cover/lid is inlaid with an attractive design of a tree/foliage with a bird perched on top in silver pique work on a background of variegated pressed cow/ox horn. The base is of a similar material with lathe turning.

This little type of snuff box is amongst the first items to be manufactured in Old Sheffield Plate by Thomas Bolsover who invented the process in 1742 and continued till around 1770. During this period it was only possible to silver plate on one side of the copper so the interior of the box is burnished copper. In my last photo I have shown a similar example in "English Snuff Boxes" by G Bernard Hughes.

After 1765 Mathew Bolton also made snuff boxes. His normally have hinged lids.

Dates circa 1740-1760.

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