Tobacco box, Perak, 19th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
Tobacco box, Perak, 19th century is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 19th century. The museum's brief description reads: Tobacco box (celepa), silver, gilding and suasa (gold and copper alloy) chased and repoussé, from Lower Perak, Malaysia, C19.
Museum description: Tobacco box, silver, the top with a silver-gilt rosette surrounded by a design of alternate silver and silver-gilt flowers with a broad suasa (gold and copper alloy) border; the bottom has gadrooned sides and chased floral and scrolling leaf motifs. The museum record gives material recorded as silver; measurements Height 8.7 cm; Width 6.9 cm; Depth 4.4 cm; place associated: Perak. 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
Portable tobacco or betel boxes were in vogue in the 19th century and came in a wide variety of materials and shapes. They were accessories for the wealthy and hung on chains attached to a belt or to the corner of a kerchief that was thrown over the shoulder. Tobacco boxes of octagonal and flattened spherical form derived from European pocket watches. The rectangular box recalls 18th-century Dutch tobacco boxes, a style that appeared mainly in Sumatra and Java where the Dutch had a strong presence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- silver
- Dimensions
- Height 8.7 cm; Width 6.9 cm; Depth 4.4 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Silver, chased, repoussé
- Place recorded
- Perak
Identification
- Museum object name
- Tobacco box
- Museum object number
- IS.95-1975
- Museum system number
- O482300
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.