Early users of snuff did not use a dish, but rather spooned a small amount of the powdered tobacco onto the hollow between the thumb and forefinger, then sniffed. As this was rather messy and also wasted some of the expensive, imported material, special snuff dishes were created. One dipped the tip of a thumb into the snuff, rubbing it lightly with the forefinger and bringing it near the nose for sniffing. Small portable dishes could be used at any time, while larger dishes were kept at home for display and social use.