Shoe-Shaped Antique Wooden Snuff Box with Puzzle Lid Mexican vase which makes a nice strong

which makes a nice strong whistle

perhaps it held his preparatory notes and research for it

Good antique condition with a few stains and a little darkening around the edges

While I’d like to imagine the maker of the vessel had Magritte’s famous painting “The Treachery of Images” in mind

Shoe-Shaped Antique Wooden Snuff Box with Puzzle Lid Mexican vase which makes a nice strongI've got a soft spot for antique shoe shaped snuff boxes, of which there are an incredible variety, and also for boxes with puzzle type lids so of course I really love this one which is both! Mid to late 19th century I am pretty sure, and, based on the form and lack of decoration, as well as because I purchased it from a dealer in Dusseldorf, I do believe German. I'm not good at identifying woods but think maybe this is mahogany (?); really beautiful