Enjoyed as a luxury among many eighteenth century Virginians including the Washingtons, snuff was often carried in small containers such as this one. Its elegant design belies the indecorous ritual of snorting the powder through the nose and sneezing to clear it out. Martha had a penchant for snuff, much to the chagrin of some of her relatives. In 1799 her grandson-in-law Tomas Law wrote: "I have to thank Mrs. Washington & to be angry at her sending snuff to Eliza-such an attention tho' it envinces her kindness yet it encourages a bad habit."