Snuff box with gilt medallion of Joseph Napoleon

Circa 1810

Gold on copper

80mm dia

A snuff or tobacco box with a gilt medallion image of Joseph Napoleon, King of Spain with the inscription D. JOSEPH NAPOLEON, ROI D'ESPAGNE ET DES INDES, circa 1810. Snuff was inhaled through the nose and was most commonly a powdered tobacco product, sometimes with oils and other flavourings added to enhance the effect. It was a common habit used by the nobility in the 18th and 19th century's. Napoleon was known to have occasionally used snuff more as a fashion rather than him liking it.