Temple Newsam antiques returned 40 years after being stolen

A collection of antique gold snuff boxes stolen from a Leeds mansion 40 years ago, has been found.

The seven 18th Century containers were among 24 snatched from Temple Newsam House in Leeds in a night time raid in 1981.

The treasures were thought to be lost forever until art experts discovered them up for sale at auction.

The boxes had joined the house’s collection at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Dating from as early as 1770, the boxes are a mix of French, Swiss and German craftmanship, each featuring intricate gold metalwork and delicate, decorative enamel designs.

Earlier this year, a determined team of experts from the Art Loss Register, who track down stolen art and antiquities and work to return them to their rightful owners, discovered them for sale at auction.

The thief has never been identified.

Adam Toole, keeper at Temple Newsam House, said:

What is snuff?

Centuries ago, the boxes’ original owners would have used them to hold snuff, a type of powered tobacco which was snorted.

Snuffing became a hugely popular trend in France and Britain in the late 18th Century, with ornate and expensive snuff boxes made using exclusive materials including gold, silver and diamonds produced as status symbols for the super wealthy.

The recovered boxes will now be carefully conserved by experts at Temple Newsam before they go on display again next year.