Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

A rare South Staffordshire enamel erotic snuff box, circa 1770 image 1
A rare South Staffordshire enamel erotic snuff box, circa 1770 image 2
Lot 127

A rare South Staffordshire enamel erotic snuff box, circa 1770

23 February 2022, 11:00 GMT
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £1,275 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our British Ceramics specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

A rare South Staffordshire enamel erotic snuff box, circa 1770

Of oval form, the lid depicting a finely dressed gentleman holding two birds and proclaiming 'One bird in the Bush is worth two in the Hand..', a lady's legs and petticoat poking out from the bush below, a rather phallic tree stump to the left of the gentleman, the sides of the box painted with pink and green floral garlands, 7.3cm wide

Footnotes

The corruption of the well-known proverb 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' alongside the suggestive tree stump would have provided some scandalous amusement for the 18th century snuff taker.

Additional information

Bid now on these items