A 19th century French antique pressed wood snuff box. There is a motto on the box stating 'Their sweet love has given birth to stability'. Lined with tortoiseshell.
 
These antique snuff boxes were made by turning a piece of wood to a block, then the decorative lids and bases were made by subjecting the wood to steam to soften them and then whilst the wood was slightly soft metal dies were pressed down on to the lids and bases impressing the wood with ornamental pictures. The blocks would then be cut in half to form lids and bases and hollowed out  lined with tortoiseshell