File:Handle from tobacco jar lid (profile) (FindID 604377).jpg

English: Handle from the lid of a cast lead tobacco jar, lozenge-shaped in plan and domed in profile. The handle is in the form of an eight-petalled flower with a central, conical knop projecting from the slightly curved collar of petals. There are faint traces of black material on the upper face of the handle which suggests that it was originally lacquered to protect the lead from corrosion and powdering and to look like a finer metal. On the reverse there is an integral stud which has a lead washer on it, otherwise the lid is missing. It is 24 mm long, 19.5 mm wide and 16 mm in height with the protruding petals about 4 mm in thickness. It weighs 11.66 g.

Bailey (2000) illustrates a similar tobacco box handle on page 62, in Figs.1-2, which he dates to the middle of the 17th century and states that the lead boxes were used to keep tobacco moist. It is likely that this form of tobacco jar is popular into the late 18th century.