Does anyone here have one of these? I saw one on eBay the other day that I really liked the look of, but I just wasn’t sure that it would really function as a snuff box. I guess it could work. Opinions, anyone? LOVELY OLD ANTIQUE GEORGIAN SHELL SNUFF BOX WITH SILVER LID, C1820 
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Cool idea, looks like you would need a spoon with it, might leak, not very practical.
The vendor didn’t give the size specs, either. I’d also worry about snuff getting caught at the back of the shell chamber. You could do something about it, plug it somehow, I guess. If it was made as a serious snuff box in an era when people used snuff a lot, then perhaps the maker had got around to thinking about it. Perhaps more of a collector’s thing than a user’s? But there are a few others out there on eBay, including a few from cowries, so maybe it was a fashion at one stage.
High fashon for ladies of the early 1800’s I believe… Pair with silver snuff spoon on a ring from little finger. Usually they are mussel or oyster shells (mother of pearl) with attached silver fittings and lid etc. I’ve also seen these made entirely out of silver also. As to practicality, I believe that they work well enough if in good condition (worn closures &/or hinges and so on can be an issue as with all antique snuff boxes). In terms of this one, if your worried about snuff getting caught in the back of the shell, a bit of modeling clay or clear resin should sort that and also plug any small air holes. Personally I think very stylish and unusual - Worth a go at the right price I would have thought 
@MisterPaul, that’s interesting. But I did see another one that had the name of Scottish reverend on it, so it can’t just have been ladies. The one in the picture went for something like $80. I put in a low bid, but I don’t think I’d go up that high unless I was pretty certain it was going to be a good, useable snuff box.
Lovely is about right. I guess if your a collector of unusual snuff boxes .I’d pay $5.00 total for it. Not very practical for your pocket.
Well, ever tried to get a limpet off a rock? They seem to seal up pretty good.
@basement_shaman, I agree that it’s the kind of thing that I’d rather find in the scrap box at a church yard fair for a few bucks, in which case I’d be really happy. But bidding on it went wild, 20 separate bids. Started at a dollar or two, ended at 80. Must have appealed to the collective imagination of snuff box collectors in some way.
I disagree with @basementshamen here in that I don’t think that this design is necessarily poor. I suggest this is more of a ‘horses for courses’ thing here. Also the somewhat fragile nature of the shell casing again makes me think that this would have been intended for a lady (Likewise the twist clasp fastening which is common on purses). So, although this design would have been wildly impractical for a costermonger, it would have served a mariners wife (or mistress!) very well. Personally top of my wish list is the snuff box quill cutter/knife (as below). However, like Stella Artios they are reassuringly expensive 
In term of use and practicality (though hardly beauty or panache) the fans of other powdered substances do produce some very practical and useful boxes that are excellent for snuff takers; like the dual chambered stainless number below:
@MisterPaul those stainless numbers do you have a source for them? I like to procure one for my collection.
Hi @basement_shamen, for a snuff guru such as your good self certainly, that particular one is avaliable on eBay currently: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stash-Container-Secret-Place-Hide-Powders-Hidden-Medicine-Pill-Box-Sniff-Snuff-/300919767291?pt=UK\_Collectables\_Tobacciana\_Smoking\_LE&var=&hash=item46103740fb#ht\_1428wt\_1018 May order one myself actually 
Sadly with postage et al [to the states] this will be circa $55.
shaman, if you get one of those let us know if its snuff-worthy. Looks sleek, but I’m not sure about the airtightness.
@basement_shaman, I echo Xander with that request, looks good and would be great if snuff-proof.
I would suggest having it set and used as a table top snuffette with a luxurious spoon.