Freemason Carved Bone Snuff Box | Napoleonic War POW Folk Art | Circa 1800

Provenance & Ownership History
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Formerly held in a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Subsequently offered through A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 2025.

$550.00
$550.00
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Freemason carved bone snuff box with Square and Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, and celestial motifs
Antique Napoleonic-era bone snuff box attributed to French prisoners of war in Britain, featuring hand-carved Masonic symbols, the Square and Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, Sun and Moon, decorative pillars, rope-pattern borders, an aged patina, and a functional hinged lid with an interior compartment.
Napoleonic-era French prisoner-of-war bone snuff box featuring hand-carved Masonic symbols, dating to circa 1795–1815.
Antique Masonic bone snuff box attributed to French prisoners of war in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars.
Hand-carved bone snuff box decorated with the Masonic Square and Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, and celestial symbols.
Napoleonic French POW snuff box featuring elaborate Freemasonic engravings and traditional bone craftsmanship.
Early 19th-century Masonic snuff box adorned with symbolic pillars, Sun and Moon motifs, and geometric decorations.
Antique carved bone snuff box with an arched hinged lid, intricate engravings, and a naturally aged patina.
French prisoner-of-war bone snuff box featuring deeply incised Masonic iconography and decorative rope-pattern edging.
Napoleonic-era bone snuff box displaying ornamental rope-pattern borders and finely carved decorative details.
Antique Masonic bone snuff box with a hollow interior compartment and original iron-pin hinged construction.
Historic French POW snuff box featuring an original iron-pin hinge and hand-carved bovine bone construction.
Early 19th-century bone snuff box with warm polished patina, natural discoloration, and intricate Masonic symbolism.
  • Freemason carved bone snuff box with Square and Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, and celestial motifs
  • Antique Napoleonic-era bone snuff box attributed to French prisoners of war in Britain, featuring hand-carved Masonic symbols, the Square and Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, Sun and Moon, decorative pillars, rope-pattern borders, an aged patina, and a functional hinged lid with an interior compartment.
  • Napoleonic-era French prisoner-of-war bone snuff box featuring hand-carved Masonic symbols, dating to circa 1795–1815.
  • Antique Masonic bone snuff box attributed to French prisoners of war in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars.
  • Hand-carved bone snuff box decorated with the Masonic Square and Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, and celestial symbols.
  • Napoleonic French POW snuff box featuring elaborate Freemasonic engravings and traditional bone craftsmanship.
  • Early 19th-century Masonic snuff box adorned with symbolic pillars, Sun and Moon motifs, and geometric decorations.
  • Antique carved bone snuff box with an arched hinged lid, intricate engravings, and a naturally aged patina.
  • French prisoner-of-war bone snuff box featuring deeply incised Masonic iconography and decorative rope-pattern edging.
  • Napoleonic-era bone snuff box displaying ornamental rope-pattern borders and finely carved decorative details.
  • Antique Masonic bone snuff box with a hollow interior compartment and original iron-pin hinged construction.
  • Historic French POW snuff box featuring an original iron-pin hinge and hand-carved bovine bone construction.
  • Early 19th-century bone snuff box with warm polished patina, natural discoloration, and intricate Masonic symbolism.
Freemason carved bone snuff box with Square and Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, and celestial motifs
Antique Napoleonic-era bone snuff box attributed to French prisoners of war in Britain, featuring hand-carved Masonic symbols, the Square and Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, Sun and Moon, decorative pillars, rope-pattern borders, an aged patina, and a functional hinged lid with an interior compartment.
Napoleonic-era French prisoner-of-war bone snuff box featuring hand-carved Masonic symbols, dating to circa 1795–1815.
Antique Masonic bone snuff box attributed to French prisoners of war in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars.
Hand-carved bone snuff box decorated with the Masonic Square and Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, and celestial symbols.
Napoleonic French POW snuff box featuring elaborate Freemasonic engravings and traditional bone craftsmanship.
Early 19th-century Masonic snuff box adorned with symbolic pillars, Sun and Moon motifs, and geometric decorations.
Antique carved bone snuff box with an arched hinged lid, intricate engravings, and a naturally aged patina.
French prisoner-of-war bone snuff box featuring deeply incised Masonic iconography and decorative rope-pattern edging.
Napoleonic-era bone snuff box displaying ornamental rope-pattern borders and finely carved decorative details.
Antique Masonic bone snuff box with a hollow interior compartment and original iron-pin hinged construction.
Historic French POW snuff box featuring an original iron-pin hinge and hand-carved bovine bone construction.
Early 19th-century bone snuff box with warm polished patina, natural discoloration, and intricate Masonic symbolism.
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Freemason Carved Bone Snuff Box | Napoleonic War POW Folk Art | Circa 1800

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: United Kingdom (crafted by French POWs)
Material: Hand-carved bone with iron pins
Period: Napoleonic Wars (circa 1795–1815)

Description

This finely carved snuff box showcases the remarkable craftsmanship attributed to French prisoners of war held in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars. The arched lid is deeply engraved with Masonic iconography, including the Square and Compasses, the All-Seeing Eye, celestial symbols of the Sun and Moon, and paired architectural columns—motifs central to Freemasonry. The hinged lid opens smoothly to reveal a hollowed compartment once used for storing snuff or other small valuables. Such boxes were often traded with locals or guards in exchange for food, tobacco, or favors, making each piece a testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and symbolic devotion of its maker.

Features

- Hand-carved from bovine bone

- Deeply incised Masonic symbols: Square & Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, Pillars, Sun and Moon

- Hinged lid secured with original iron pins

- Rope-pattern edgework around sides and base

- Smooth, aged patina developed over two centuries

Cultural Significance

Freemasonry carried profound cultural and fraternal significance in the 18th and 19th centuries. For prisoners, crafting such pieces was not only an act of skill but also a way to preserve identity, communicate belonging, and sustain spiritual endurance under captivity. This snuff box embodies both the esoteric symbolism of Freemasonry and the lived history of Napoleonic-era POWs.

Condition

Excellent antique condition with age-consistent wear. Hinge remains functional and stable. Minor discoloration to the interior and edges. Warm polished patina throughout.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 2.75 in
Width: 2 in

Age (Approximate)

210–225 years old

Provenance

Formerly held in a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Subsequently offered through A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 2025.

Learn More

Read about items made and sold in Britain by Napoleonic prisoners of war at World Militaria Forum

Explore our Collection of Statues, Figures & Carvings

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: United Kingdom (crafted by French POWs)
Material: Hand-carved bone with iron pins
Period: Napoleonic Wars (circa 1795–1815)

Description

This finely carved snuff box showcases the remarkable craftsmanship attributed to French prisoners of war held in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars. The arched lid is deeply engraved with Masonic iconography, including the Square and Compasses, the All-Seeing Eye, celestial symbols of the Sun and Moon, and paired architectural columns—motifs central to Freemasonry. The hinged lid opens smoothly to reveal a hollowed compartment once used for storing snuff or other small valuables. Such boxes were often traded with locals or guards in exchange for food, tobacco, or favors, making each piece a testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and symbolic devotion of its maker.

Features

- Hand-carved from bovine bone

- Deeply incised Masonic symbols: Square & Compasses, All-Seeing Eye, Pillars, Sun and Moon

- Hinged lid secured with original iron pins

- Rope-pattern edgework around sides and base

- Smooth, aged patina developed over two centuries

Cultural Significance

Freemasonry carried profound cultural and fraternal significance in the 18th and 19th centuries. For prisoners, crafting such pieces was not only an act of skill but also a way to preserve identity, communicate belonging, and sustain spiritual endurance under captivity. This snuff box embodies both the esoteric symbolism of Freemasonry and the lived history of Napoleonic-era POWs.

Condition

Excellent antique condition with age-consistent wear. Hinge remains functional and stable. Minor discoloration to the interior and edges. Warm polished patina throughout.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 2.75 in
Width: 2 in

Age (Approximate)

210–225 years old

Provenance

Formerly held in a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Subsequently offered through A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 2025.

Learn More

Read about items made and sold in Britain by Napoleonic prisoners of war at World Militaria Forum

Explore our Collection of Statues, Figures & Carvings

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