Description: Offered here is an antique (ca. 1800-1820) Scottish snuff mull. The mull is made of what we believe is a bovine horn having a pewter closure at one end which has been equipped with a hinged lid. The tip of the horn has been fitted with a pewter reinforcement which has a flat end to eliminate the normal point of the horn. The pewter closure is a bit loose and has a couple of short cracks, but is still solidly in place. The hinge for the lid is intact and works the way it should. However, the lid does not close tightly as a snuff box lid should. The horn itself is intact with no cracks, no breaks, and no repairs. It does have a few scratches., dings, and scuff marks. The snuff mull is in overall good condition and would make a nice addition to you mull collection. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Uncertain, but we believe it is from the early 1800s (early 19th century).
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The mull was most likely made in Scotland. Size: The box measures ~5 1/2" long, and is ~1 1/2" in diameter at the top. The piece weighs almost 5 ounces.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Unmarked as to the maker.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: An interesting antique Scottish snuff or tobacco mull made from formed horn, which would make a nice addition to your tobacciana or snuff box collection.
Condition: The mull is in very good condition. The pewter closure is a bit loose and has a couple of short cracks along the bottom edge, but is still solidly in place. The short inside front prong has broken free and a small part of the horn that held it in place is lost. However, the back prong is still solidly in place and holding the closure solidly in place. The hinge for the lid is intact and works the way it should. However, the lid does not close tightly as a snuff box lid should. The horn itself is intact with no losses, except for a small piece (on the inside of the pewter closure) which held one of the prongs for the pewter closure. The horn has no cracks, no additional breaks, and no repairs. It does have a few scratches., dings, and scuff marks. A nice piece to add to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.