Not currently on display at the V&A

Snuff Box

ca.1830 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Rectangular 18 carat gold snuff box with engine-turned gold pattern on the lid, base and sides, and smooth rounded finish around the top and bottom edges and waisted shape. The lid is fitted to the base with a 9-section joint. An engraved inscription on the inner surface of the lid records its presentation by the actor-manager Benjamin Webster to his friend William Carter, 30 November 1841.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
gold and engine-turned
Brief description
Gold snuff box made by Alexander Strachan, ca.1830, owned by Sir John Gielgud (1904-2000) but originally presented by the actor-manager Benjamin Webster (1797-1882) to his friend William Carter.
Physical description
Rectangular 18 carat gold snuff box with engine-turned gold pattern on the lid, base and sides, and smooth rounded finish around the top and bottom edges and waisted shape. The lid is fitted to the base with a 9-section joint. An engraved inscription on the inner surface of the lid records its presentation by the actor-manager Benjamin Webster to his friend William Carter, 30 November 1841.
Dimensions
  • Length: 6.6cm
  • Width: 4cm
  • Depth: 1.5cm
The box has rounded corners and edges, and the lid and base are slightly angled in to the point where the lid meets the base and the box closes. Therefore, viewed from the sides, the box has a 'waisted' appearance.
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • "Presented by BENJAMIN WEBSTER to the Best & Truest Friend of his Life WILLIAM CARTER 30 Nov 1841" (Inscription; decoration; Lower case italics, and upper case.; On inner surface of the lid.; engraved; 1841)
  • AJS (maker's mark) Leopard's head. Crown. (Hallmark)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Sir John Gielgud
Object history
The gold snuff box was bequeathed to The Theatre Museum by Sir John Gielgud (1904-2000) and a note from his executors on the bequest receipt says that it was given to him by the grand-daughter of the actor-manager Benjamin Webster (1797-1882).
Production
Leopard's head hallmark denotes London assay office.

Attribution note: This would have been a hand-made object from the goldsmith's workshop.
Associations
Collection
Accession number
S.286-2001

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Record createdApril 10, 2001
Record URL
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