Gold Boxes
Precious and decorative boxes have always been widely collected and sought-after as gifts for royalty, aristocracy and elite.
Snuff boxes, meant to hold a powder of tobacco, are the most collected among all precious containers. The most valuable are gold, gold mounted or silver, and they can be embellished with enamel, hand-painted scenes, exotic materials (such as tortoiseshell and ivory), micro-mosaic or profusely set with diamonds and other gemstones. Very popular in the 18th century, they remained a stylish accessory for gentlemen for all the first half of the next century.
