Snuffbox

Object Name:

Snuffbox

Object ID:

1949.015.30

Date:

circa 1800

Description:

Snuffbox. Oval, tin. Top and bottom surfaces relatively flat. Bottom surface turns up at edge, with rolled edge leading to vertical flat side. Top similar rolled edge with short, flat side that fits over base. Color painted dark brown. Writing on inside on paper that fits in top and bottom and on a portion of side of bottom. "This metal snuff box belonged to the Beard family and shows four generations of Beards. The writing inside on separate card says: Presented by Ithamar A. to the / fourth Ithamar as a Moment. May 1858. / This box was owned and carried by / the first of the name (underlined). / Ithamar Beard. Born July 12, 1764. / Ithamar A. Beard, Born Dec. 5, 1789. / Ithamar W. Beard, Born Sept. 3, 1815 (4 on inside of box bottom). / Ithamar W. Beard. Born Feb. 23, 1840. / Pass it down. / The cover has autographs of all four Beards." On side of inside of bottom is also the listing of this card written to fit inside. Inside cover, piece of paper adhered. Top center: "Autographs / 1st. Ithamar Beard / 2d Ithamar A. Beard / 3d Ithamar W. Beard / 4th: Ithamar W Beard May 1879 / 4th: Ithamar (W) May 1858". Line drawn around it. Paper label on bottom: "Beard / 9/'49

Material:

Metal
Tin

Dimensions:

H-1 W-2.3 L-4.5 inches Weight-1.9 oz

Provenance:

Box contains signatures of the four generations before the donor's who were all named Ithamar Beard.

Credit Line:

Gift of Ithamar M. Beard

People:

Beard, Ithamar (1764-1843), Beard, Ithamar E. (1789-1871), Beard, Ithamar W. (1814-1862), Beard, Ithamar W. (1840-1916), Beard, Ithamar M. (1872-1955)