Presented to Levens Hall’s retiring head gardener Chris Crowder as a farewell gift, the George IV-era box once belonged to Alexander Forbes, who held the same role at the South Lakes estate more than 180 years ago.
The property’s owner, Richard Bagot, described the gift as a fitting tribute to Mr Crowder’s 40 years of service and an enduring symbol of the garden’s long tradition of dedicated custodianship.
Mr Bagot said: “The history of the Levens Hall garden has been one of dedicated custodians, in the form of our head gardeners, who have each passed on a legacy to their successors.
“It is most fitting that, in exactly the same way, the snuff box that was once presented to Alexander Forbes is now in the hands of Chris Crowder.
“We are delighted to have made this happen and bring the snuff box back to Cumbria.
“It is a sign of our gratitude to Chris for his 40 years of hard work and dedication to making Levens Hall and Gardens one of the world’s leading gardens.”
The snuff box, made by Birmingham silversmith Thomas Shaw in 1829, carries an inscription that links it directly to the Levens Hall estate.
It reads: “Presented to Mr Alexander Forbes of Levens by Richard Rushton Preston as an acknowledgement of his valuable services in the formation of the new plantation at Preston Patrick AD 1838.”
Alexander Forbes served as head gardener at Levens Hall from 1810 until his death in 1861, becoming one of only 11 people to hold the position since the gardens were established in 1694.
Born in Scotland in 1784, Forbes moved to Westmorland as a young man and began working at Ormside Lodge in Appleby before taking up the post at Levens Hall at the age of 26.
Forbes was highly regarded in his field and quickly established a reputation for horticultural excellence.
By 1819, he had planted new box trees, designed a box parterre, and launched his own business, Forbes Ornamental Gardening.
He also published a book, Short Hints on Ornamental Gardens, in 1820, in which he described his approach to garden design and credited himself as the gardener to Hon. Col F.G Howard MP, the then-owner of Levens Hall.
Forbes’ work was widely praised during his lifetime.
A visitor in 1834 remarked on the “fantastically clipped yew trees” and described the garden as “the most perfect specimen of the kind ever seen.”
The snuff box remained in Forbes’ possession until his death, after which it is believed to have passed to his niece in Scotland.
It eventually resurfaced in 2026 through Highland Antiques, a Scottish silver dealer, and was spotted by Janet Pruce, the local Cumbrian organiser of The Northern Antiques Fair.
Levens Hall was alerted to the item, just at the time when it was considering what a fitting leaving gift for Chris Crowder might be.
Richard Bagot purchased the box, knowing Mr Crowder had become aware of it and had a keen interest in it.
The snuff box serves as a tangible link between two of Levens Hall’s most influential head gardeners, separated by two centuries but united by their dedication to the estate.
Members of the public will have a chance to view the historic snuff box during September, thanks to a temporary loan from Mr Crowder.
It will be on display at Levens Hall throughout the month.
Tickets can be purchased at www.levenshall.co.uk.