Haunting 1860s Sixth Plate Ambrotype of Headless Civil War Soldier mine magdalene This lovely little olive wood

This lovely little olive wood snuff box was purchased in France years ago

which feel like great treasures every time I find them

Sight: 9 1/2" x 7 11/16

the species name no longer exists

Haunting 1860s Sixth Plate Ambrotype of Headless Civil War Soldier mine magdalene This lovely little olive woodA very dark thing for certain, and to me quite a poignant one. I believe this is an ambrotype, and certainly its is a Civil war soldier in Union uniform captured in the image, whose head, through some combination of damage and the effects of time, I assume just chance occurrence, appears transformed into a cloud of smoke. About as haunting a portrait, and portrait of the effects of war, as I might imagine. Sold as found in case (missing opposite side)