each probably Scottish and of traditional form with unpolished interior; the largest with silver collar and hinge, the cover with a silver boss engraved with a monogram, the side with a circular presentation engraved cartouche dated 1797; second, silver collar double struck with untraced mark (IO within a rectangular shaped cartouche), hinged cover with engraved silver cartouche; third, silver collar double struck with untraced mark (ACF within a rectangular shaped cartouche), unusual ball hinge and silver cover, the side with a vacant shield shaped cartouche (3)

Snuff has been kept in a wide variety of containers since the start of its popularity in the 17th century - the most common being the traditional snuff box. In Scotland, however, the mull (from a Scottish dialect word for 'mill', as the tobacco would have been ground to a powder) was particularly popular.

Although snuff was traditionally made from ground tobacco, much Scottish 'snuff' was actually dried sneezewort which was used in traditional medicine. The powder was known as 'sneeshin'.

Usually fashioned from ram's horns and often fitted with silver mounts and gemstones, the pocket mull - as these examples - was for personal use, although communal table mulls were also popular and were large and impressive pieces. Many were made by coopers who had the necessary skills and tools for steaming the horn and forming the hinges.

Condition Report

1 - Surface crack to the horn on the cover, and the horn loose in the setting. Setting edge a little rough. Cover lacking the cork stopper. Vertical crack to the horn body to the left of the presentation plate running from the rim approximately 30mm long. Some surface scratching to the silver areas, as to be expected.

2 - Hinge cover slightly strained, so the cover does not fit tightly. Some surface scratches to the silver area, as to be expected.

3 - Cover detached from the body due to a failed solder joint between the collar and the hinge section. Horizontal surface crack to the horn body to the inner of the first curl of the horn. Some surface scratches to the silver areas, as to be expected.