Snuffbox used by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch during Pesach for many years. The box was bought by his father, the Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch, during one of his visits to Paris.

Papier mâché snuff box, with a handsome lid inlaid with abalone and mother of pearl. Mid-end 19th century.

Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift… the tabak Pushka that my father used for many years for Pessach. His father the Rashab bought it for him as a gift during one of his trips to Paris." Dated - March 4, 1990.

Enclosed is a handsome wooden box (the hand-illustrated lid features flowers and geometric patterns), which may have also been used by the Rebbe or his family (the box is probably from a later period – a label on the bottom reads: "Made in the Soviet Union"; it was given together with the present snuffbox, although it is not mentioned in the letter of authenticity).

The Rebbes of Chabad were famously meticulous during the days of Pesach; among the precautionary measures customarily observed by them, Rebbe Rashab and Rebbe Rayatz took care to consume exclusively Kosher-for-Passover smoking tobacco and snuff. According to the enclosed letter, the present snuffbox was used by the Rebbe Rayatz specifically during the days of Pesach (see previous lot for a snuff box used by his father the Rebbe Rashab for the same purpose).

Approx. 9X4X2 cm Good condition. Minor blemishes.

PLEASE NOTE: Item description was shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.