Rare 17th Century Antique Folk Art Decorated Bovine Horn Tobacco Snuff Book Box

A charming 17th-century antique horn snuff box of diminutive size with a hinged lid.

Naively decorated with folk art.

Formed as a book with bone inlay and scratch-carved decoration on the external upper and lower surface and spine. The upper surface decoration incorporates geometric borders. The lid has a carved cross standing over an urn with foliage and bears the initials “MC”. Verso, the book is decorated with a further geometric border and incorporates a central star. The spine also bears scratch-carved decoration.

Provenance – Unknown.

Condition – Please refer to the images. There is surface discolouration due to age and minor surface losses, specifically to the top left upper surface corner and the right top corner of the lid. Please bear in mind that this is a rare survivor from the 17th century and has survived remarkably well despite its flaws. A further detailed condition report is available upon request.

Size – 7 cm x 4.5 cm x 2.5 cm (2 3/4″ x 1 3/4″ x 1″)