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For internal use only
On Display: House - Blue Room
Box (Snuff box)
1802-1803
Description
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.
Category
Organic (ivory, horn, etc.)
Place of Origin
London; London; England; United Kingdom; Europe
Materials
- Shell (mollusk)
- Silver
Museum Object Number
1959.0743
Credit Line/Donor
Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont
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Complete Details
Object Number
1959.0743
Object Name
Box (Snuff box)
Category
Organic (ivory, horn, etc.)
Place of Origin
London; London; England; United Kingdom; Europe
Date
1802-1803
Mark/Signature/Inscription/Label
Type: Mark
Location: Lid, underside
Inscription: "R[?]" stamped in a rectangle
Type: Mark
Location: Lid, underside
Inscription: Passant gardant lion stamped in a cartouche with clipped corners
Type: Mark
Location: Lid, underside
Inscription: "IT" stamped in a rectangle
Type: Mark
Location: Exterior, rim of shell, bezel
Inscription: Profile bust stamped in an ellipse
Type: Mark
Location: Exterior, rim of shell, bezel
Inscription: Passant gardant lion stamped in a cartouche with clipped corners
Type: Mark
Location: Exterior, rim of shell, bezel
Inscription: "G" stamped in a cartouche with clipped corners
Type: Mark
Location: Exterior, rim of shell, bezel
Inscription: Illegible mark stamped in a rectangle
Type: Inscription
Location: Lid, upper surface
Inscription: "WH to TB" engraved
Type: Label
Location: Lid, underside
Inscription: Yellowed, rectangular paper label with "B22[1] / T[?]" and "790" in black ink
Mark/Signature: Yes
Materials
- Shell (mollusk)
- Silver
Techniques
- Engraved
- Molded
Dimensions (inches)
1.575 (H) x 2.638 (W) x 3.386 (L)
Dimensions (centimeters)
4 (H) x 6.7 (W) x 8.6 (L)
Dimensions (oz)
3.1394
Measurement Notes
Weight is overall.