an early unadorned antique Georgian tobacco box of octagonal form with a simple flat lid with a decorated finial in the form of an african man likely to be a black Virginian.
length ... 100mm ... width 100mm ... height to top of finial 130mm
the demand for a box capable of retaining moisture in processed tobacco grew in the Georgian times with the increase in popularity of smoking and availability of tobacco. the impervious nature of lead made it the ideal material to make a storage box for the product. at first the boxes were quite simple in design, simple geometric shapes, such as this example, as demand grew the boxes became more elaborate and expensive reflecting the status of the owner. the boxes were often kept in a prominent position in the house, usually on the mantlepiece or table top in the parlour or receiving room. they were items designed to be seen, used during social gatherings, the contents being shared or offered to guests. tobacco was expensive, to own a tobacco box was a sign of wealth.
