Report of the Portable Antiquities Scheme 2010

Abstract

This paper deals with a group of metal tobacco boxes which are probably all of Dutch or German origin. The tobacco box industries of both countries and their backgrounds are considered, as are box design themes, boxes known from archaeological and pictorial contexts, and existing dated or signed examples in the group and in comparable collections. German craftsmen and their workshop techniques are also discussed. The concluding section contains a plea for further information on the various topics dealt with in the paper.