Let's Talk About Pottery & Collectables

Collectables => Metalware & Metalwork => Topic started by: Tigerchips on July 24, 2017, 05:41:44 PM

Title: Lead tobacco box
Post by: Tigerchips on July 24, 2017, 05:41:44 PM
I didn't even know these things existed in lead until i looked it up. The whole thing is made from lead, other than the knob on the top which seems to have been a replacement. It's as heavy as a brick, why anyone would make a tobacco box out of lead is beyond me, well, maybe it was cheap. But imagine a mixture of tobacco and lead in your pipe?

Anyway, it's decorated with thistles, acorns, flames, fleur de lis, and it's about 5 inches long. I would imagine the loose bit was there to keep the tobacco down inside the box. I've looked around but couldn't find any with feet. I wonder if this might be older than the 19th century ones i've seen on ebay?
Title: Re: Lead tobacco box
Post by: Anne on July 25, 2017, 01:38:09 AM
Most of the ones online seem to be flat based but I have found some with feet, by searching for Lead tobacco box and then looking under the Images results (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Lead+tobacco+box&newwindow=1&safe=active&client=opera&hs=s4&tbm=isch&imgil=PRjPrkbT4QhUbM%253A%253BSASZ9wFjDATdlM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.the-saleroom.com%25252Fen-gb%25252Fauction-catalogues%25252Fclarke-and-simpson%25252Fcatalogue-id-ibcla10029%25252Flot-d1e59f98-8a99-41ea-a628-a48b01058aad&source=iu&pf=m&fir=PRjPrkbT4QhUbM%253A%252CSASZ9wFjDATdlM%252C_&usg=__e06ebPsOowWBHry47kOx35UUZJI%3D&biw=1338&bih=801#imgrc=PRjPrkbT4QhUbM:).

Title: Re: Lead tobacco box
Post by: Carolyn Preston on July 25, 2017, 03:51:32 PM
I suspect the heaviness was so that it wouldn't get tossed about with the papers. Sort of a paperweight/cigarette box in one. I have a business card holder which is also as heavy as lead.


Carolyn