I have always loved shoe-shaped snuff boxes and was delighted to find three miniature boxes at a house-call for the sale of a local estate of a longtime collector (see last photo for all three). This little beauty is mahogany treen (at least I think it is mahogany) with a slide top, inlaid wood and pique decoration with brass pins. It is a really fine piece, one of my current favorites. It measures a mere 3" long x 1 1/4" tall x 5/8" at the widest. I've shown it with a quarter for size perspective. The heel shows some widening with the grain and, as I found by looking at the enlarged photo below, one of those hairline cracks along the grain seems to have caused a tiny chip at the heel. I really didn't even notice this while I inspected it under strong lights. It is just really a fine little piece that should look good on any table or shelf. Circa 1800-1830. French (although these are generally sold as English). I am offering all three of these shoe snuff boxes at very reasonable prices.
(#5461) Sold