Before the introduction of cigarettes, loose tobbaco was sold, at this same time snuff was also used, this would be made from grinding tobbaco to a fine powder, this would be inhaled through the nostrils, unlike tobbaco which had to be placed in a receptacle such as a pipe and then ignited before smoking. 
 
This is a French papier mache snuff box with a cheeky hand painted design.
 
Condition is good.
 
Dimensions: 10cm x 5cm x 2.5cm