snuff box

Summary

Public: A double snuff box modelled in the form of an early wooden-wall battleship, the deck area is hinged in two unequal leaves in a deep chased mount, the interior is divided centrally into two compartments. The sides of the box are painted to depict guns projecting through a series of openings, the larger lid is painted over a print of a man-of-war in full sail and the smaller lid with a fully rigged sailing vessel. Private: A double snuff box modelled in the form of an early wooden-wall battleship (single decker) with a carved and arcaded poop and the prow finished by a yellow mask. The deck area is hinged in two unequal leaves in a deep chased mount; the interior is divided centrally into two compartments. The sides of the box are painted to depict guns projecting through a series of openings. The larger lid is painted over a print of a man-of-war in full sail from which a boat load of marines are rowing away; the smaller lid shows a side view of a fully rigged sailing vessel.

Display Label

Social Ritual Afternoon tea, or dinner with friends and family, going out for a coffee, or having a drink in the pub are just a few of the social rituals enjoyed by many. Some rituals have survived through the centuries, or been adapted to suit our ever-changing society, whilst others have been lost in the mists of time. Different cultures have their own social rituals. Although sometimes seen as strange and exotic, they often inspire other countries to adopt them. Food, drink and the rituals associated with them, once new, expensive or for the elite, are now taken for granted and part of everyday life. The objects on display reflect some of those rituals; where they came from and how they have changed, those that have survived and those that were lost. They each tell a story about a time and a place, the people from the past and society today.