Cigarette box, London, 1938-1939
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1938-1939
Cigarette box in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number CIRC.228&A-1938), made in London, dated 1938-1939, attributed to H. G. Murphy. The museum's brief description reads: Cigarette box, silver and ivory, mark of H.G. Murphy, London hallmarks for 1938-9. Museum description: Cigarette box and cover, silver, the lid set with a turned ivory finial. The body is cylindrical and decorated with applied, wire roundels. The museum records it as Silver, with turned ivory finial, applied decoration and raised circular swirls, measuring Diameter 8.8 cm; Height 13.1 cm. These details come from the 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 is a reissue of a design that was first produced in 1931. The original is in the collection of the Goldsmiths' Company. The V&A box was purchased from the Goldsmiths' Hall exhibition of Modern Silverwork, which opened in 1938. Murphy (1884–1939) studied at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, then worked for Henry Wilson. He went to Berlin to study with Emil Lettré. In 1937 he became the first silversmith to be appointed Principal of the Central School.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- silver, ivory
- Dimensions
- Diameter 8.8 cm; Height 13.1 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Silver, with turned ivory finial, applied decoration and raised circular swirls
- Maker recorded
- H. G. Murphy
- Place recorded
- London
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- base: maker HGM for Harry G Murphy, sterling, date letter c (1938-9), leopard’s head, Falcon crest for Murphy’s workshop
Identification
- Museum object name
- Cigarette box
- Museum object number
- CIRC.228&A-1938
- Museum system number
- O94656
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 the wider type, maker and date against a specialist reference.