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How much would you pay for Napoleon Bonaparte’s snuff box?

How much would you pay for Napoleon Bonaparte’s snuff box?

Friday 02 August 2024

How much would you pay for Napoleon Bonaparte’s snuff box?

Friday 02 August 2024


A 19th-century snuff box owned by Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile on a remote Atlantic island is up for sale by a Jersey dealer.

Paul Fraser Collectibles, which is based on Bath Street and deals in authenticated rare items, is offering the artefact for £45,000.

The snuff box was used by the former French emperor to store finely ground tobacco between 1815 and 1821 while he was imprisoned on the remote island of St Helena following his defeat at Waterloo.

The lacquered box measures 5.5cm x 3cm x 2cm and features a chequerboard pattern on the lid. 

It has been preserved in its original condition, with signs of frequent use visible on its surface.

"Napoleon snorted snuff like a 1970s rock star," said Daniel Wade of Paul Fraser Collectibles. 

"He was never without his snuff box – he loved the stuff."

The box was given to a British lieutenant by Napoleon’s female attendant just three days after his death in May 1821.

An inscription inside the box records this transfer of ownership, and the item comes with documentation tracing its ownership over the past two centuries.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has described the snuff box as an "extremely tactile object" that offers a tangible connection to one of history's most famous figures. 

The dealer said that other Napoleon memorabilia has sold for significant sums, including his nightshirt for $109,000 in May 2021, his travelling coat rack set for $168,000 in November 2023, and his miniature spyglass for $57,500 in April 2024.

Those interested in the rare artefact can buy it online HERE

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