In connection with the British Queen Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, large quantities of souvenirs and memorabilia were produced for sale to the population. These were sold throughout the Great British Empire, and were probably available for sale outside the borders of the Empire as well. The tradition of commemorative objects for sale in connection with royal weddings also exists in Norway.
We don’t know who originally bought this small, black snuff box. Under the glass we find a beautifully crafted relief in gold with the Queen’s profile in the front, and Prince Albert in the back. Around the edge is written in raised lettering “Victoria and Albert married 10 Feb. 1840”.
Queen Victoria’s influence on 1800s Europe is beyond doubt. Her dominance became so important that the period is often referred to as the Victorian era. The little snuff box may signal that people in Vesterålen were keeping a close eye on what was going on on the continent, and that they also wanted to take a little bit of the beautiful British queen home with them.