Not currently on display at the V&A

Workbox

ca. 1855 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Vishakhapatnam (made)

Workboxes of this type were made at Vizagapatam in large numbers. Such pieces were designed to accommodate equipment for sewing such as spools, thread, ribbons, thimbles and pin cushions. This particular example is unusually lavish in that it is veneered with finely figured satinwood. It was exhibited at the Universal Exhibition, Paris in 1855 and was acquired by the Indian Museum (which later merged with the V&A).


Object details

Categories
Furniture
Containers
Needlework Accessories
Woodwork
India Museum
Object type
Workbox
Parts
This object consists of 11 parts.

  • Needlework Box
  • Tray
  • Lid
  • Lid
  • Lid
  • Spool
  • Spool Case
  • Spool Case Lid
  • Thimble
  • Key
  • Key
Materials and techniques
Satinwood with ivory veneer, engraved and highlighted with lac; silvered brass mounts
Ivory
Brief description
Domestic, sandalwood
Physical description
Work box of sandalwood veneered with satinwood, partly covered and partly veneered with ivory, engraved and highlighted with lac, with silvered brass lock, hinges and mounts.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21cm
  • Width: 30cm
  • Depth: 22cm
Object history
Transferred from the India Museum in 1879. 1880 Register Entry: [Room 8. Wall Case 30.] '01,161. WORK BOX. Satin wood, engraved ivory border and fittings; Vizagapatam. 4,282'
Production
The maker's name is recorded as 'Shedashboodoo'
Summary
Workboxes of this type were made at Vizagapatam in large numbers. Such pieces were designed to accommodate equipment for sewing such as spools, thread, ribbons, thimbles and pin cushions. This particular example is unusually lavish in that it is veneered with finely figured satinwood. It was exhibited at the Universal Exhibition, Paris in 1855 and was acquired by the Indian Museum (which later merged with the V&A).
Bibliographic references
  • Jaffer, A. Furniture from British India and Ceylon: a catalogue of the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Peabody Essex Museum. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 2001. ISBN 1 85177 318 5p.210-211, pl.55..
  • The art of India and Pakistan, a commemorative catalogue of the exhibition held at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1947-8. Edited by Sir Leigh Ashton. London: Faber and Faber, [1950] p. 237, cat. no. 1285
Other number
4,282 - India Museum Slip Book
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
01161(IS)

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Record createdNovember 11, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O118447/workbox-unknown/
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