Snuff box or confectioner's bonbon? Probably a snuff, but small boxes of this size and era were also filled with chocolatier's confections. This one has a charming subject in bas relief on the lid, a little hard to decipher with iconography of the period, but Cupid has his bow, there's a rose Bush in one pot and a budding rose in near the other which seems to be a well - wishing well? Perhaps a Valentine bonboniere? Beautifully crafted and beautifully preserved. It is 2 5/8" in diameter.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Seems amazing that it's 170 years of age, doesn't it. In this condition, it must have been kept as a token of love. I do not know what the numbers mean. Anyone who can decipher it better, please email. Thanks. Gutta Percha was the first example of a moldable "plastic"-like material. Very popular for small objects, vanity objects, desktop objects and frames. All the rage in Victorian times because it created mass-production of something with fine carved detail.
