Snuffbox 18th century

This snuffbox, made by the Miotti Family Workshop, invites us to consider the social rituals of the elite. While undated, the form of the box speaks to the 18th century when tobacco became increasingly popular amongst the upper classes. Snuff taking became a sophisticated practice, facilitated by objects like this, and offered a new form of social engagement. These boxes, often adorned with precious materials and intricate designs, were status symbols, revealing one's taste and wealth. The snuffbox allowed for refined sociability but also marked boundaries of class. The snuffbox is a window into the social life of the past, offering a tactile link to a world of social distinction. Further research into the Miotti Family Workshop and the history of tobacco use in Europe would reveal a much richer understanding of the society that gave rise to this object.