This Could Be Malta’s Cutest Winter Exhibition
Ever wondered where the socialites of yesteryear kept their smokeless tobacco centuries ago? No, nor did we. BUT we’ve been enlightened anyway, and the answer is taking the form of Palazzo Falson’s latest exhibition: Snuff Boxes: From Accessories to Objet d’Art.
For those of us who don’t know (i.e. everyone), snuff is a smokeless tobacco made from ground up tobacco leaves. People used to sniff it up into their nasal cavities, taking a swift hit of nicotine and a lasting flavoured scent.
Snuff’s been around for centuries and it was used all over the world. It became known as an aristocratic practice in later centuries, and even more recently, because of the ban on smoking in enclosed public places, snuff-taking seems to be coming back in some places.
So this exhibition couldn’t have come at a better time!
The Palazzo Falson exhibition has brought together two hundred snuff boxes and related artefacts, sourced from museum, ecclesiastical and never-seen-before private collections in a show that charts the history of the snuff box. You’ll be able to admire the most stunning examples of boxes that were created to hold the once precious powder, snuff.
Seriously – some of them are absolute beauts!
So clear a date in your diary. The exhibition will be open daily at Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum, Villegaignon Street, Mdina from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am till 430pm until 26th February 2017. Entrance to the exhibition is free of charge and an illustrated catalogue and a full programme of activities accompany the exhibition.
You can also visit the museum’s website for more information on how to get there and other upcoming events: www.palazzofalson.com
