1959.0743 Box, view 1
  • 1959.0743 Box, view 1
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Box (Snuff box)

  • Category:

    Organic (ivory, horn, etc.)

  • Place of Origin:

    London, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

  • Date:

    1802-1803

  • Materials:

    Shell (mollusk); Silver

  • Techniques:

    Engraved, Molded

  • Museum Object Number:

    1959.0743


  • Complete Details



Object Number

1959.0743

Object Name

Box (Snuff box)

Category

Organic (ivory, horn, etc.)

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Place of Origin

London, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Date

1802-1803

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Lid, underside; "R[?]" stamped in a rectangle
2. Mark; Lid, underside; Passant gardant lion stamped in a cartouche with clipped corners
3. Mark; Lid, underside; "IT" stamped in a rectangle
4. Mark; Exterior, rim of shell, bezel; Profile bust stamped in an ellipse
5. Mark; Exterior, rim of shell, bezel; Passant gardant lion stamped in a cartouche with clipped corners
6. Mark; Exterior, rim of shell, bezel; "G" stamped in a cartouche with clipped corners
7. Mark; Exterior, rim of shell, bezel; Illegible mark stamped in a rectangle
8. Inscription; Lid, upper surface; "WH to TB" engraved
9. Label; Lid, underside; Yellowed, rectangular paper label with "B22[1] / T[?]" and "790" in black ink

Materials

Shell (mollusk); Silver

Techniques

Engraved, Molded

Dimensions (inches)

1.575 (H) , 3.386 (L) , 2.638 (W) , 3.1394 (Weight)

Dimensions (centimeters)

4 (H) , 8.6 (L) , 6.7 (W) , 89 (Weight)

Measurement Notes

Weight is overall.

Object Description

Web - 02/01/2021

This box is made from a tiger cowrie shell with a silver rim and hinged lid. Ornamenting the silver lid is an engraved laurel branch wreath surrounding the inscription “WH to TB”. The interior of the box has the letters “CD” scratched into the lid along with a yellowed, rectangular paper label on the shell. There are also seven separate maker’s marks that can be found on the lid and rim. The scientific name of the shell is Cypraea tigris and these popular shells were sourced from waters in the Indo-Pacific region.