Silver snuff box presented to the Shipbuilder Richard Green (1803-63) in 1855.

It is shaped as a ship's hull on launching ways, with engraved details such as the ship's planking and ports. The box stands on an oblong base with canted corners. There is a hinged lid in the deck, which is inscribed: 'Presented TO RICHARD GREEN ESQ THE EMINENT SHIPBUILDER of BLACKWALL as a small Token of Respect & Esteem by the Officers of his ESTABLISHMENT ON HIS Jubilee 5th Decr 1855'.

Snuff became fashionable in the 18th and 19th centuries and stimulated further demand for tobacco from the West Indies. Richard Green was the eldest surviving son and the successor of George Green, shipbuilder and co-founder of Wigram & Green of Blackwall on the Thames. He is recorded as being admitted to the firm in 1829, assisting his father in its direction and taking over the managing role on his retirement. The jubilee of the inscription is most probably the 25th anniversary of his formally becoming a partner in the business, though this remains to be confirmed.