This box is made of solid gold and is enamelled with decoration in the form of white peacock feathers. It was made in France about 250 years ago to keep snuff in. Snuff was taken by men and women and there was a complicated routine surrounding it. A French pamphlet from around the same time describes how one should take snuff and lists 14 steps, including '(9) Take a clean pinch in your right hand (12) sniff... with both nostrils and without grimacing. (13) Sneeze, cough and spit.'

At the royal court, and in aristocratic company, it would have been important to be seen with a lavishly decorated snuffbox. Some of those at the Wallace Collection are encrusted with diamonds and other precious jewels. While this item was designed for a specific purpose (holding snuff) but it was also made for showing off. When the lid is open the peacock feather decoration appears like a live peacock's tail in full display to all those to whom the snuff is offered. This would form a very conspicuous signal of the owner's taste and wealth.