Tobacco Box
1850-1888 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
During the Choson period (1392-1910) boxes such as this one were used by wealthy gentlemen as storage containers for tobacco. It was common to embellish boxes of this type with auspicious motifs. The sliding lid of this example is decorated with the Chinese character for 'double happiness'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Inlaid iron and silver |
| Brief description | Iron box inlaid with silver wire |
| Physical description | This tobacco box is decorated over its entire surface with diaper designs. The sliding lid is fastened with a spring. The centre of the top side is occupied by a large double happiness character. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Thomas Watters, Esq. |
| Object history | Given by Mr. Thomas Watters, accessioned in 1888. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Summary | During the Choson period (1392-1910) boxes such as this one were used by wealthy gentlemen as storage containers for tobacco. It was common to embellish boxes of this type with auspicious motifs. The sliding lid of this example is decorated with the Chinese character for 'double happiness'. |
| Bibliographic reference | Beth McKillp. Korean ARt and Design. V&A Publications 1992, page 119
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1842-1888 |
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| Record created | February 3, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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