Snuff box, India, c. 1850
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1850
Snuff box, India, c. 1850 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated c. 1850. The museum's brief description reads: Snuff box, elephant tooth exterior, tortoiseshell interior, white metal mounts, India, 19th century. Museum description: A shallow, rectangular snuff box with all six exterior panels being in elephant tooth and all interior panels in tortoiseshell (blond with brown patches), mounted in white metal. The museum record gives material recorded as elephant tooth, tortoise shell, white metal; measurements Length 71.0 & 69.0 mm; Width 49.6 & 47.2 mm; Height 25.5 & 21.8 mm; Depth 19.0 mm; place associated: India. These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This snuff box was made in India in the 19th century with interior and exterior decoration made of animal products that were commonly used at the time but modern examples of which are now prohibited.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- elephant tooth, tortoise shell, white metal
- Dimensions
- Length 71.0 & 69.0 mm; Width 49.6 & 47.2 mm; Height 25.5 & 21.8 mm; Depth 19.0 mm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Elephant tooth, tortoiseshell and white metal. Fashioned using a variety of techniques.
- Place recorded
- India
Identification
- Museum object name
- Snuff box
- Museum object number
- 02808(IS)
- Museum system number
- O450851
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the museum record and a specialist reference.