A pair of 19th century mahogany snuff shoes with brass pique work on the sliding lid, and used for buttons and for decoration. The shoes are also decorated with some holly wood stringing,  around the toes of the shoe extending around the whole of the box. giving a contrst to the mahogany shoe. 
It is often said that  shoes were given as gifts and were suppose to bring luck particularly for  weddings, where they also represnted love tokens.
Pairs of snuff shoes are difficult to find. This pair is in good condition.