This is an unusual brass ? snuff box, dated 1874, with a humorous 'reversible' engraving to the base.

The box is made of a very, very light coloured brass, or other soft alloy, & is of quite primitive construction, with a simple hinge & heavy soldering to the interior.

The lid of the box has decorative prick/wrigglework engraving around the hinge, with ANN. TAYLOR & 1874 engraved to the front, along with two hands in a handshake.

The rear of the box is decorated with prick/wrigglework engraving, & has a central cartouche with a man & woman, in period dress, facing each other & smiling. When the box is reversed, the same man & woman are scowling at each other.

The box was almost certainly a wedding gift, given to Ann Taylor in 1874, with the 'holding hands' on the lid depicting the union of marriage. The 'smiling couple' on the base represents the newlyweds, & the reverse 'scowling couple' depicting them after a few years of marriage !.

The box, although described as a snuff box, was probably more of a decorative gift or token, as the box is not airtight.

Condition is good for age, the lid & the hinge are quite loose, but everything else is fine.

The box is approx 3 1/4" in length & 1 3/4" at its widest (approx 8 cm x 4.3 cm).