This beautifully-carved, oblong-shaped snuff box from the early 19^th century was created from two coquilla nuts joined together. Its distinctive design features the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Emperor from 1804-1815) and Marianne, the national personification and symbol of the French Republic. Marianne represents equality, liberty, and fraternity-- the ideals of the French Revolution. She is shown wearing a Phrygian cap, which is associated with the Revolution. The image of Marianne as a symbol of the Republic of France endures to this day; her likeness is found on French postage stamps and coins and in French courts and town halls.

All sides and ends of this coquilla nut snuff box are carved with elaborate and extensive details portraying both historical and symbolic narratives as well as zoomorphic motifs found in many carved snuff boxes of the era. The entire surface has been utilized to create an extraordinary, complex art object. This snuff box, made from the solid ends of two nuts joined together in the center to create a larger box, is 11 cm or 4.33 inches long.

The lid of the snuff box is carved with several military figures from the late18^th-early 19^th century wearing uniforms with long coats and hats of the period. It depicts Napoleon congratulating a group of officers. A metal hinge attached to the top of the box served as the box’s opening; inside the box snuff was protected and stored. The ends of the box are also finely carved, depicting two stylized animal heads, resembling a lion or dog or mythical creature.

The reverse side of the snuff box is most unusual: it features a detailed carving of Napoleon Bonaparte and Marianne. The figure on the right depicts Napoleon dressed in his iconic military unform with his bicorne hat, and the figure on the left depicts Maryanne, the national personification of the French Republic. Napoleon and Marianne are surmounted by two angels holding laurel wreaths and the Imperial eagle. The allegorical pairing suggests the unification of the leader and spirit of the French Republic.

This image shows one end of the snuff box carved as a lion or dog-like creature. The face features inset red eyes, whiskers, and a mane or long ears.

Image showing the opened box (and the coquilla nut interior) where snuff would be stored.