Description:
Rectangular steel tobacco box composed of two pieces that slide together; the back side of the box is perforated with a series of drilled holes; on the top side is an engraved decoration which depicts a version of Hogarth's "Midnight Modern Conversation" also engraved on the box is the date "1749" The exact use for the holes is a mystery. Perhaps twists of tobacco could have been rubbed against the holes or they could be purely decorative. In other publications, in particular Gentle and Field's Domestic Metalware, these boxes have been called powder boxes for putting powder into boots. There is no evidence for this use. There are several boxes which depict pipes as well as mention types of tobacco - for example "Virginia." Although this example is not marked, similar tobacco boxes were marked by Birmingham steel manufacturers.

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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+59.080

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