Antique French 18th Century Georgian Era Seed Pearl and Horn Snuff Box, Heart & Tomb

The iconography might help explain why this 250 or so year old snuff shows no sign of use, and is also in nearly immaculate condition. There in center of the worked seed pearl and gold ornamentation worked on boiled horn is a tomb with a heart atop it. Love and loss, it would have ‘remembered’ someone very dear who died. Seed pearls were iconographic as the tears of the mourner, as well in that time. Isn’t it spectacular! a mourning memento, either a snuff or perhaps made to hold a rosary since there isn’t a typical liner of shell. Deep domed or bombe cover glass and silver mount combine to make this a museum quality antique. Full measurements noted on our photos.

Very good to excellent condition for age and type, no chips or cracks in the wood or boiled horn, or the cover glass and the myriad of tiny 1mm to 2mm seed pearls within are nearly all intact and in place. Rare fine piece, this!