Snuffbox with a Depiction of Venus, Amor, and a Turkey
The snuffbox came into fashion as the snuffing of tobacco became more popular than pipe smoking in the 18th century. Snuffboxes were sometimes decorated with erotic themes, such as the Roman god Vertumnus seducing the nymph Pomona. Others were more personal. The German statesman Heinrich von Brühl had his coat of arms painted on his, while a picture of a turkey refers to the Dutch diplomat Cornelis Calkoen.