I'm glad for tobacco in the sense that it gave rise to so many lovely snuff boxes to love now. And with so many produced in such variety, quite a nice--and endlessly rewarding!--thing to collect. It's the cumulative effect of shape and scalloped lid and lacquered surface on this one that does it for me--making the hinged, papier mache box look not just like tortoiseshell, but in fact rather like the shell of a tortoise (as if his head and tail might emerge at any minute!) Looks like a combination of gold leaf and dark red paint that were applied prior to the lacquering to produce the tortoiseshell effect, quite beautiful. With solid black on the sides, interior and underside.    

2 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 7/8" t and in excellent antique condition, no losses, hinge in great shape, lid closes flush.