Tobacco box

Tobacco box commemorating birth of Charles Edward Stuart

18th century
Ivory

Our Object of the Month for February is this delicately carved ivory snuff box. The scene on the hinged lid commemorates the birth of Charles Edward Stuart in 1720. The infant Charles stands in the centre, underneath the crown of the Prince of Wales with three feathers. On either side are his parents, James Francis Edward Stuart and Clementina Sobieska. They are seated on thrones, and two cherubs hold crowns above their heads. This tiny scene is carved on the lid of the rectangular snuff box, which sits easily in the palm of the hand. Denys Eyre Bower was fascinated by the Stuart family, and collected a large number of papers, documents, letters, relics, and memorabilia.

Portrait miniature of Charles Edward Stuart, Sir Robert Strange, 1745, Chiddingstone Castle collection, object number 01.3272

According to our records, the snuff box was included in an exhibition called the ‘Rare Scottish Antiquities Exhibition’ in 1950. The scene depicted on the lid supports the claim that James Francis Edward Stuart and Clementina Sobieska were the rightful King and Queen of England, Ireland, and Scotland. James Francis Edward Stuart grew up in exile following the abdication of his father. His supporters, known as the Jacobites, never gave up hope that he would reclaim the throne. Snuff boxes which have designs supporting the Jacobite cause on the outside of the lid are rare. Often, as is the case with another snuff box in the Castle’s collection, these kinds of designs were concealed on the inside of the box.

Snuff box with portrait of James Francis Edward Stuart on the inside of the lid, Chiddingstone Castle collection, object number 01.1882

Powdered tobacco, known as snuff, was very popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. Snuff boxes became fashionable accessories and were given as gifts both amongst loved ones and members of the court. Snuff boxes used by the aristocracy were made from luxurious materials such as gold and ivory. There were many different styles of snuff box, different ways of taking snuff (for example from the back of the hand or a tiny spoon), and different rituals related to the popular habit. Amongst European courtiers, a ‘language of the snuffbox’ developed. Different ways of offering people snuff could mean different things. Snuff boxes influenced the addition of pockets to skirts and coats so that they could be carried at all times.

Snuff box, 1783 – 1795, gold, Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number 172-1878

The scene on the lid of our Object of the Month depicts an event that was dreaded by the enemies of the Stuarts. It was made to celebrate not only the birth of Charles Edward Stuart, but also the survival of the Stuart family line. The birth meant the continuation of the Stuart dynasty and the hope that they might one day regain the throne. George I tried to prevent the marriage of James Francis Edward Stuart and Clementina Sobieska, for fear it would lead to an heir for the Stuarts. On her journey to Rome to marry James, Clementina was imprisoned at Innsbruck in Austria during the winter of 1718 - 1719. She was rescued by a Jacobite and was finally able to marry James in September 1719. There are several depictions of Clementina Sobieska in the Castle’s collection, as well as letters and items which are attributed to her. These can be viewed in the Castle’s Print Room once we reopen on Sunday 2nd of April.

Portrait miniature of Clementina Sobieska, 1719, Chiddingstone Castle collection, object number 01.3273

This object is just one of the many objects that form part of Denys Eyre Bower’s five impressive collections which include Ancient Egyptian, Japanese, Buddhist, Stuart and Jacobite, and Books. For more information on these objects, review our Object of the Month series, visit the Historic House and Collections or contact our Curator, Naomi Collick by email or by calling 01892 870347.