One of my favorites, perhaps a precursor to Mauchline wear: a petit yo-yo form pale treen pocket snuff box, with an exquisitely inked design on its lid of two hands shaking in friendship, surrounded by the motto “For Auld Lang Syne”, now most associated with New Years’ Eve thanks to the adaptation of Robbie Burns’s poem to that perennial tune. “Wriggle work” in ink covers the remainder of the snuff’s exterior.

This dates from much earlier, when the Scottish bard’s poem was fairly new and especially popular in Scotland, though its fame would become universal. The decorative scheme suggests a manufacture date of c. 1820-40, and Scotland as its likely place of origin. Further, I wonder if the central image on the lid isn’t an iteration of the classic Oddfellow’s symbol of clasped hands, so perhaps this was gifted to a fellow at a lodge, as a token of friendship?

Condition is excellent, near minty, with but a little gentle abrasion to the box’s underside (see photos). This handsome little example measures about 1 1/2” in diameter and just over 1/2” high. Good for a few pinches!

I am a professional antiques dealer and stand behind my goods with an absolute guarantee should they not prove what I’ve described; if you’re not pleased for any reason a return will be accepted for up to two weeks after receipt of your item. I will also pay return shipping, if the former is demonstrably true.

Stay tuned: I will be offering many more choice smalls including miniature portraits, silhouettes, snuff boxes, early Staffordshire, silver, tea caddies, Chinese export silver, inkwells, and some true rarities in early folk and decorative art. Favorite me in your sellers list to discover much more!