Pen-case thumbnail 1
Pen-case thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Pen-case

Pen Case
ca. 1797 - ca. 1815 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This oblong pen-case is composed of plaques of bone carved with leaf and other ornament; the curved lid is pierced with bust-portraits of Napoleon I and the first Duke of Wellington.

Arthur Wellesley, later the 1st Duke of Wellington, was Britain's greatest military commander. His brilliant tactics and leadership brought major victories over the French in the Peninsular War of 1808-1814 and, most famously, at Waterloo on 18 June 1815. The Duke then became a politician (Prime Minister from 1828-1830) and distinguished elder statesman.

This specimen of work was executed by French prisoners at Porchester Castle, near Portsmouth, and at Norman Cross, near Peterborough, during the Napoleonic Wars (1797-1815).


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Pen Case
  • Lid
TitlePen-case (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bone, carved and wood
Brief description
Pen case with lid, carved bone, lid with bust-portraits of Napoleon I and the Duke of Wellington, executed by French prisoners of war, French, produced in Britain, ca. 1797-1815
Physical description
The case is composed of plaques of bone carved with leaf and other ornament; the curved lid is pierced with bust-portraits of Napoleon I and the first Duke of Wellington.
It is oblong, with an upright at each angle forming a short moulded foot below and projecting above in the form of a dog's head. The broad edge is carved with rosettes united by a double wreath; on each long side is a similar rosette between two wing-like devices, and the lower edge is carved with lambrequins. The remaining space on the lid is occupied by a dolphin, with flags, guns and bayonets, while a projecting palmette forms a handle. Traces of colour.
Dimensions
  • Height: 6.8cm
  • Width: 18.5cm
  • Depth: 9cm
Object history
Bought for £2. 10s. from C. Dack Esq., 4 Nene View, Peterborough in 1903.
Production
executed by French prisoners at Porchester Castle, near Portsmouth, and at Norman Cross, near Peterborough, during the Napoleonic Wars.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This oblong pen-case is composed of plaques of bone carved with leaf and other ornament; the curved lid is pierced with bust-portraits of Napoleon I and the first Duke of Wellington.

Arthur Wellesley, later the 1st Duke of Wellington, was Britain's greatest military commander. His brilliant tactics and leadership brought major victories over the French in the Peninsular War of 1808-1814 and, most famously, at Waterloo on 18 June 1815. The Duke then became a politician (Prime Minister from 1828-1830) and distinguished elder statesman.

This specimen of work was executed by French prisoners at Porchester Castle, near Portsmouth, and at Norman Cross, near Peterborough, during the Napoleonic Wars (1797-1815).
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Years 1903 - 1904. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, During the Year 1903, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition with Appendix and Indices. London: Printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office, by Wyman and Sons, Limited, 1907, p. 264
  • Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Carvings in Ivory. Part II. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1929, p. 120
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, cat. no. 275, pp. 281, 2
Collection
Accession number
1549&:1-1903

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Record createdNovember 25, 2008
Record URL
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