English Snuff Box with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay

Glimmering with iridescent mother-of-pearl inlay, this English papier-mâché snuff box dates to the late 19th century. Black lacquer envelopes the papier-mâché case to form a durable but alluring hard shell exterior. Irregular shards of mother-of-pearl on the box lid are outlined by scalloped silver wire inlay, with a mother-of-pearl oval embellishment in the center. The box catches the light beautifully and shimmers with opalescent hues of pink and turquoise. Potentially used as a snuff box or a pill box, the hinge glides open smoothly to reveal a prim, interior compartment.

From the collection of Frances and Gary Comer.

Minor chip to rim has been darkened to match.