Antique Burr Walnut Octagonal Snuff Box | Circa 1820–1860

Historique de provenance et de propriété
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From the Estate of Henry and Ann Soukup. Henry L. “Hank” Soukup and his wife, Ann Butler Soukup, were longtime antiques enthusiasts who founded The Lair Antiques together in 1965, establishing a decades-long connection with the antiques trade and collecting.

Subsequently handled by Diederich Auction Gallery, Winchester, Kentucky, an auction house specializing in fine antiques, estate collections, fine art, and other historically significant material.

$325.00
$325.00
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This is a one-of-a-kind historical object. Once sold, this exact piece will not be restocked.
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Antique British burr walnut snuff box with elongated octagonal form and dark wood stringing, circa 1820–1860.
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  • Antique British burr walnut snuff box with elongated octagonal form and dark wood stringing, circa 1820–1860.
  • 360-degree rotating view of a 19th-century British burr walnut snuff box, showing the figured wood grain, dark stringing, hinged lid, faceted sides, rounded ends, and aged patina.
  • 19th-century English treen snuff box in richly figured burr walnut with ebony-style banding and hinged lid.
  • Early Victorian burr walnut pocket snuff box with canted corners, dark stringing, and warm golden-brown patina.
  • Antique rectangular burr walnut snuff box with faceted sides, rounded ends, and contrasting dark wood inlay.
  • British 19th-century wooden snuff box with figured walnut grain, hinged top, and small circular dark inset.
  • English pocket snuff box with richly figured burr wood, ebony-style stringing, and elongated single compartment.
  • 19th-century burr walnut tobacco snuff box with hinged cover, rounded terminal sections, and natural wood figuring.
  • Antique British decorative treen snuff box with honey-brown burr walnut, dark edge stringing, and compact form.
  • Early-to-mid 19th-century walnut snuff box with canted rectangular body, hinged lid, and historic surface wear.
  • Antique treen snuff box in burr walnut with octagonal cross-section, dark banding, and aged polished surface.
Antique British burr walnut snuff box with elongated octagonal form and dark wood stringing, circa 1820–1860.
360-degree rotating view of a 19th-century British burr walnut snuff box, showing the figured wood grain, dark stringing, hinged lid, faceted sides, rounded ends, and aged patina.
19th-century English treen snuff box in richly figured burr walnut with ebony-style banding and hinged lid.
Early Victorian burr walnut pocket snuff box with canted corners, dark stringing, and warm golden-brown patina.
Antique rectangular burr walnut snuff box with faceted sides, rounded ends, and contrasting dark wood inlay.
British 19th-century wooden snuff box with figured walnut grain, hinged top, and small circular dark inset.
English pocket snuff box with richly figured burr wood, ebony-style stringing, and elongated single compartment.
19th-century burr walnut tobacco snuff box with hinged cover, rounded terminal sections, and natural wood figuring.
Antique British decorative treen snuff box with honey-brown burr walnut, dark edge stringing, and compact form.
Early-to-mid 19th-century walnut snuff box with canted rectangular body, hinged lid, and historic surface wear.
Antique treen snuff box in burr walnut with octagonal cross-section, dark banding, and aged polished surface.
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Antique Burr Walnut Octagonal Snuff Box | Circa 1820–1860

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: Britain, likely England
Material: Figured burr walnut with dark wood, likely ebony, stringing and inset decoration
Period: Early–Mid 19th Century, circa 1820–1860

Description

A handsome early-to-mid 19th-century pocket snuff box of elongated octagonal form, finely constructed from richly figured burr walnut and accented with contrasting dark stringing.

The compact rectangular body is formed with canted corners, producing the characteristic faceted or octagonal cross-section. Each surface displays strongly figured timber with swirling grain, knots and naturally mottled coloration ranging from golden honey and amber to deep brown.

Narrow dark bands, likely ebony stringing, articulate the edges and terminal sections of the box, providing an elegant contrast against the warm walnut. The upper surface incorporates a long fitted hinged lid, itself selected from particularly attractive figured wood and centered by a small circular dark inset, apparently ebony or another contrasting hardwood.

The lid lifts to reveal a deep, elongated single compartment with a darkened interior. Its uncomplicated interior and convenient pocket-sized proportions are consistent with its original function as a personal snuff box, intended to hold a quantity of finely powdered tobacco while protecting it from moisture and accidental loss.

The lid and body were carefully shaped so that the exterior reads as a continuous architectural form when closed, with rounded terminal sections softening the otherwise geometric construction. The combination of burr walnut, dark stringing and faceted construction gives this diminutive utilitarian object considerably greater visual refinement than an ordinary tobacco container.

Features

- Elongated octagonal or canted rectangular form

- Richly figured burr walnut construction

- Contrasting dark wood stringing, likely ebony

- Small circular dark inset to the lid

- Hinged lift-up cover

- Deep single snuff compartment

- Rounded terminal sections

- Attractive golden-brown natural patina

- Compact pocket-sized proportions

- Fine example of British decorative treen

- Strong natural figuring throughout the timber

Cultural Significance

Snuff-taking became deeply embedded in European social culture from the 18th century onward. A snuff box therefore served not merely as a container but as a personal accessory, frequently reflecting the owner's taste and social position.

Wooden snuff boxes occupy a particularly interesting place within the tradition of treen—the collective term used for small functional objects fashioned principally from wood. Figured burr timbers were valued because no two sections produced identical patterns, allowing even a relatively modest everyday object to possess a distinctive decorative character.

Condition

Good antique condition with wear consistent with age and historical use. The exterior displays scattered surface scratches, small marks, minor abrasions and areas of finish wear, together with the warm patination expected of a handled wooden object of this age.

Some minor separation, irregularity and wear are visible around the stringing, joints and edges. The interior exhibits darkening and wear consistent with prolonged use. The hinged lid remains present and functional. Natural variations, knots and imperfections within the burr timber are characteristic of the material.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Length: 3.25 in
Width: 1.2 in
Depth: 1.2 in

Age (Approximate)

165–205 years old

Provenance

From the Estate of Henry and Ann Soukup. Henry L. “Hank” Soukup and his wife, Ann Butler Soukup, were longtime antiques enthusiasts who founded The Lair Antiques together in 1965, establishing a decades-long connection with the antiques trade and collecting.

Subsequently handled by Diederich Auction Gallery, Winchester, Kentucky, an auction house specializing in fine antiques, estate collections, fine art, and other historically significant material.

Learn More

See a comparable English walnut snuff box in the collection of the Science Museum Group

Browse our Collection of Functional Tools, Ancient Implements & Historic Craft

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Britain, likely England
Material: Figured burr walnut with dark wood, likely ebony, stringing and inset decoration
Period: Early–Mid 19th Century, circa 1820–1860

Description

A handsome early-to-mid 19th-century pocket snuff box of elongated octagonal form, finely constructed from richly figured burr walnut and accented with contrasting dark stringing.

The compact rectangular body is formed with canted corners, producing the characteristic faceted or octagonal cross-section. Each surface displays strongly figured timber with swirling grain, knots and naturally mottled coloration ranging from golden honey and amber to deep brown.

Narrow dark bands, likely ebony stringing, articulate the edges and terminal sections of the box, providing an elegant contrast against the warm walnut. The upper surface incorporates a long fitted hinged lid, itself selected from particularly attractive figured wood and centered by a small circular dark inset, apparently ebony or another contrasting hardwood.

The lid lifts to reveal a deep, elongated single compartment with a darkened interior. Its uncomplicated interior and convenient pocket-sized proportions are consistent with its original function as a personal snuff box, intended to hold a quantity of finely powdered tobacco while protecting it from moisture and accidental loss.

The lid and body were carefully shaped so that the exterior reads as a continuous architectural form when closed, with rounded terminal sections softening the otherwise geometric construction. The combination of burr walnut, dark stringing and faceted construction gives this diminutive utilitarian object considerably greater visual refinement than an ordinary tobacco container.

Features

- Elongated octagonal or canted rectangular form

- Richly figured burr walnut construction

- Contrasting dark wood stringing, likely ebony

- Small circular dark inset to the lid

- Hinged lift-up cover

- Deep single snuff compartment

- Rounded terminal sections

- Attractive golden-brown natural patina

- Compact pocket-sized proportions

- Fine example of British decorative treen

- Strong natural figuring throughout the timber

Cultural Significance

Snuff-taking became deeply embedded in European social culture from the 18th century onward. A snuff box therefore served not merely as a container but as a personal accessory, frequently reflecting the owner's taste and social position.

Wooden snuff boxes occupy a particularly interesting place within the tradition of treen—the collective term used for small functional objects fashioned principally from wood. Figured burr timbers were valued because no two sections produced identical patterns, allowing even a relatively modest everyday object to possess a distinctive decorative character.

Condition

Good antique condition with wear consistent with age and historical use. The exterior displays scattered surface scratches, small marks, minor abrasions and areas of finish wear, together with the warm patination expected of a handled wooden object of this age.

Some minor separation, irregularity and wear are visible around the stringing, joints and edges. The interior exhibits darkening and wear consistent with prolonged use. The hinged lid remains present and functional. Natural variations, knots and imperfections within the burr timber are characteristic of the material.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Length: 3.25 in
Width: 1.2 in
Depth: 1.2 in

Age (Approximate)

165–205 years old

Provenance

From the Estate of Henry and Ann Soukup. Henry L. “Hank” Soukup and his wife, Ann Butler Soukup, were longtime antiques enthusiasts who founded The Lair Antiques together in 1965, establishing a decades-long connection with the antiques trade and collecting.

Subsequently handled by Diederich Auction Gallery, Winchester, Kentucky, an auction house specializing in fine antiques, estate collections, fine art, and other historically significant material.

Learn More

See a comparable English walnut snuff box in the collection of the Science Museum Group

Browse our Collection of Functional Tools, Ancient Implements & Historic Craft

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