Tobacco box, Malaysia, 19th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
Tobacco box, Malaysia, 19th century is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 19th century. The museum's brief description reads: Tobacco box (celepa), blackened copper-gold alloy with gold inlaid, silver hinged lid embellished with a gold rosette, Malaysia, 1800-99.
Museum description: Tobacco box (celepa) in flattened globular form with lobed sides, made of a copper-gold alloy patinated to a lustrous black colour, which is similar to the Japanese alloy, Shakudo. The lobed sides and the back are inlaid with gold. Hinged cover opened on the front is made of silver embellished with a gold rosette at the centre. The museum record gives material recorded as silver, gold; measurements Height 7.8 cm; Diameter 7 cm; place associated: Malaysia.
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
At first glance this portable tobacco box appears to be decorated with niello, a black mixture of silver, copper and lead sulphide filled into the recessed areas of the silver surface. This circular box with lobed sides and gold inlay, however, is made of a copper-gold alloy patinated to a lustrous black colour, which is similar to the Japanese alloy, Shakudo.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- silver, gold
- Dimensions
- Height 7.8 cm; Diameter 7 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Body of copper-gold alloy patinated in black with gold inlaid, lid of silver and gold
- Place recorded
- Malaysia
Identification
- Museum object name
- Tobacco box
- Museum object number
- IS.366-1950
- Museum system number
- O473647
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.