A fine Swiss gold snuff box expertly adorned with classically-inspired enamel decoration, including two portraits. The taking of snuff was a highly regarded social ritual among the European elite, which resulted in the fine art of snuff box manufacturing. These innovative craftsmen created and designed these elegant little boxes using fine metals, porcelain, ivory, tortoiseshell, enamels, mother-of-pearl, precious gems and other luxurious materials. They were among a gentleman's most expensive and elegant personal effects, and soon became collector's items. Wealthy and fashionable men would have a fair number of them and often offered them as gifts .The finer examples such as this are most desirable. Circa 1740.