Paktong Trick-Opening Snuff Box

A trick-opening Paktong snuff box.

Within the hinged lid is stamped a maker’s mark, WH together with pseudo lion passant silver marks and the name W.Howe.

The lid engraved with a monogram or initial, (perhaps the letter ‘H’) the base with two donkeys at a fence and beneath the text “When Shall We Three Meet Again”, apparently old inn or folk humour, reaching back to the Renaissance, the picture later referenced in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Two Jackasses meet, the scene looked upon by the third Jackass, in this case the holder of the box.
To prove the fool, they will be unable to open the box, it having a false opening button at the front, the catch disguised as the middle knuckle of the hinge to the reverse, which when pulled away from the body releases the catch within allowing the box to be opened.

English, circa 1790.

2 1/2 inches x 2 inches x 7/8 inch