19th c. Brass Bound Victorian Agate Snuff Box c. 1860

Description

This gorgeious striped agate brass bound snuff box probably dates to the middle of the 19th c.  The front display of the agate forms a chevron pattern and the reverse forms parallel lines.  Both sides are translucent and radiate mauve and chocolate brown bands.  It was probably produced in the famous semi-precious stone cutting Rhineland Palatine town of Idar-Oberstein.  The box is oval in form and is 2 7/8" long x 2" wide x 3/4" thick.  There is a small natural flaw in the cut stone on the reverse of the box that might present as a tiny crack but I think it occurred naturally in the stone (this can be seen in our final photo).
Stock number SA2A-282