Tobacco box and lid
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1680
This silver tobacco box and lid was produced in Chester around 1680 by the silversmith Nathaniel Bullen. Formed by raising and decorated with engraving, the box has an oval silhouette with moulded edges. It measures 3.5 inches in length and 3 inches in width.
The surface of the cover is finely engraved with the heraldic arms of Williamson, county Cumberland, framed by scrolling decorative mantling. The box is inscribed below with the initials "HW" and bears Chester hallmarks dated to circa 1680 alongside the maker's mark of Nathaniel Bullen.
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
Small boxes of this type were designed for carrying smoking tobacco. During the late seventeenth century, tobacco boxes were commonly oval and featured unattached fitted covers rather than the hinged lids typical of snuff boxes, allowing pipe smokers to rest the container on a surface and use both hands while filling a pipe. This object entered the museum collection as a bequest from Croft Lyons.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver, raised and engraved
- Dimensions
- Length: 3.5 in; Width: 3 in
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: The cover engraved with the arms of Williamson, co. Cumberland; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: Inscribed below, HW; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: Mark of Nathaniel Bullen of Chester; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: Research required; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: Chester marks ca.1680; Language: Research required; Position: Research required; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required
- Maker recorded
- Nathaniel Bullen
- Place recorded
- Chester
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Tobacco box and lid
- Museum object number
- M.1027:1, 2-1926
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.