Did Napoleon get up your nose? No surprise!

Pardon the pun, but I couldn’t resist when coming across this snuff box on the Antiques Roadshow.

A snuff box in the shape of Napoleon’s hat – now I’ve seen it all! Though not quite up there with Napoleon’s head in a jerry, it’s still a very quirky item. Made of horn in ca. 1812, this commemorative snuff box was made with Napoleon’s doomed Russisa campaign in mind. Prophetic that he looks so sulky, despite his grande armée in the background). The inscription says “Napoléon à Moscou” (Napoleon in Moscow – oh, the dangers of overhasty marketing!)  And at a value of £ 300 – £ 400 pounds, it’s not to be sneezed at.

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