Description
Praying Monk Snuff Box
From our Collectables Category, we are delighted to offer this Antique Boxwood Nut Monk Snuff Box. The Snuff Box of beautiful patination carved from Boxwood is depicted as a young kneeling monk male in prayer with his hands crossed and thumbs up having traditional tonsure haircut. The Monk dressed in robe features a hinged hatch to the rear which opens up for storing snuff. The Boxwood Monk Snuff Box is of French origin and dates to the turn of the 19th century circa 1810 during the French reign of Napoleon (1769-1821).
Snuff boxes
were used for containing snuff which is a mixture of ground tobacco and scented oils. Originally from the Americas Snuff became extremely popular in 18th century Europe, it was seen as a status symbol and undertaken by the elite in society. Commissioned snuff boxes of various materials would be bought by high status individuals as a sign of wealth and power. Snuff boxes became highly prized by collectors from 19th century when snuff was slowly phased out.
Monk
a man who has dedicated his life to religion, partly by giving up some aspects of regular, worldly life. Many monks live together in a religious community. To a greater or lesser extent, a monk has chosen to leave society and devote his life to prayer and service.
Napoleon (1769-1821)
Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I) was a French military leader and emperor who rose to power during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born in 1769 on the island of Corsica, he became a brilliant general during the French Revolutionary Wars, gaining fame for his strategic genius and bold tactics. In 1799, he staged a coup and became First Consul of France, later declaring himself Emperor in 1804.
During his reign, Napoleon expanded French influence across Europe, defeating major powers such as Austria, Prussia, and Russia. He introduced important reforms, including the Napoleonic Code, which modernized legal systems and influenced laws worldwide. However, his ambitious military campaigns led to costly wars, culminating in a disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. After his defeat in 1814, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba, but he escaped and briefly returned to power in 1815 during the Hundred Days. His final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo led to his exile on the remote island of Saint Helena, where he died in 1821. Despite his downfall, Napoleon remains one of history’s most influential figures, remembered for his military brilliance and lasting impact on Europe.
MEASUREMENTS
9.5cm High x 4.5cm Wide x 4cm Deep (3.74 x 1.77 x 1.57 Inches)
CONDITION
Very Good, small stress cracks above the hinge only
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