At leisure, Prince-Abbot Joseph III greatly enjoyed the smoking of fine cigars. Less well-known is his hobby, which was to decorate cigar boxes in an elaborate style using metal foils laid upon designs in relief, also lining them with felt. Some of these were given as presents to friends.

The Archive of the Abbey-Principality has one example of a decorated box of this kind. Silver and gold foils are used, with the lining being of red felt. The last photograph shows the detail of the design inside the lid.