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This carved horn snuff container has a horn lid, attached with a silver hinge plate, on which the initials AB are inscribed. The lid has cork underneath.
It was presented to the Burns Cottage Museum in the early 20th century, with the suggestions that there may have been some connection with the poet, but this has not been established through any documentation.
Whilst it is documented that Robert Burns liked the occasional pinch of snuff, the number of snuff boxes and mulls which are said to have belonged to him suggest many of these were fakes.
It is more likely these were often sold to Burns enthusiasts in the 19th century, looking for momentos related to Burns.
Mostly likely the seller of these items were simply just peddlers or hawkers, looking for ways to turn their crafts into collectable items.
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