In an wonderful act of creative recycling, this Ethiopian snuff container has been ingeniously crafted from a small white plastic bottle. The tapering neck of the bottle is sealed with a leather top, which, in turn, is attached to a strand that connects the vessel to a drawstring leather purse. The purse, which possibly served to store tobacco, is adorned at the top with a hand-stitched zip.
The taking of snuff was widespread throughout southern and eastern Africa, in which snuff containers were often treasured personal possessions.
H (Snuff Container): 8.5cm
W (Snuff Container): 5cm
H (Purse): 11cm
W (Purse): 5cm
Overall Length: 30.5cm
Reference
Royal Collection Trust, 'Snuff Box'
(Click on images to enlarge)
