Dressing Case
ca. 1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Dressing cases had been in use at least since the 18th century, but were particularly popular during the 19th. Their contents vary: basic requirements at this time would normally include at least one razor with a leather strap to sharpen it, a pair of scissors, a toothbrush, a mirror and a hairbrush.
Material & Making
The case is thought to have been made by Wilson, Walker & Co. of Leeds for the Great Exhibition of 1851. It is a luxury product, elaborately finished with tooled decoration on the outside. It shows the use of a number of materials, including a lining of metal foil in some compartments to prevent tarnishing.
Ownership & Use
The dressing case contains 17 pieces fitted into a very small space. Their arrangement is quite ingenious and would have been tricky to pack: it depends on inserting the items in the right order as well as in the right place. Undoubtedly many of the men who owned fitted cases like this would be used to having a servant pack for them and keep all the pieces clean when not in use.
Dressing cases had been in use at least since the 18th century, but were particularly popular during the 19th. Their contents vary: basic requirements at this time would normally include at least one razor with a leather strap to sharpen it, a pair of scissors, a toothbrush, a mirror and a hairbrush.
Material & Making
The case is thought to have been made by Wilson, Walker & Co. of Leeds for the Great Exhibition of 1851. It is a luxury product, elaborately finished with tooled decoration on the outside. It shows the use of a number of materials, including a lining of metal foil in some compartments to prevent tarnishing.
Ownership & Use
The dressing case contains 17 pieces fitted into a very small space. Their arrangement is quite ingenious and would have been tricky to pack: it depends on inserting the items in the right order as well as in the right place. Undoubtedly many of the men who owned fitted cases like this would be used to having a servant pack for them and keep all the pieces clean when not in use.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 24 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Case: tooled leather, lined with watered silk and metal foil
Brushes: wood and bristle
Toothbrushes: ivory and bristle
Razors: steel blade, with bone handle
Strop: wood and leather, with paper cover
Scent bottle, lid and stopper: glass and metal
Toilet box and lid: glass and metal
Mirror: glass, leather and watered silk
Button hook: steel and ivory
Corkscrew: metal and ivory
Scissors: steel
Tweezers: steel
Holder: card, leather and watered silk
Keys: metal |
| Brief description | Man's dressing case with accessories, Wilson, Walker & Co., ca. 1850 |
| Physical description | Man's dressing case, leather, lined with watered silk and metal foil, containing three wooden brushes (for clothes/shoes and hair), two 'Napoleon' cut throat razors, one strop (razor sharpener), four ivory handled brushes (one shaving brush, one nailbrush, two toothbrushes), mirror, glass scent bottle with glass stopper and metal cap, kit consisting of four items (scissors, button hook, corkscrew, tweezers) on a fitting, round metal topped glass pot (possibly for toothpaste powder) and two keys. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
The dressing case was a vital accessory for fashionable men as well as women. A man's case contained razors, a shaving brush and a small brush, if necessary, for tidying his moustache. The glass pot was probably for oil or pomade to grease back his hair.(27/03/2003) |
| Summary | Object Type Dressing cases had been in use at least since the 18th century, but were particularly popular during the 19th. Their contents vary: basic requirements at this time would normally include at least one razor with a leather strap to sharpen it, a pair of scissors, a toothbrush, a mirror and a hairbrush. Material & Making The case is thought to have been made by Wilson, Walker & Co. of Leeds for the Great Exhibition of 1851. It is a luxury product, elaborately finished with tooled decoration on the outside. It shows the use of a number of materials, including a lining of metal foil in some compartments to prevent tarnishing. Ownership & Use The dressing case contains 17 pieces fitted into a very small space. Their arrangement is quite ingenious and would have been tricky to pack: it depends on inserting the items in the right order as well as in the right place. Undoubtedly many of the men who owned fitted cases like this would be used to having a servant pack for them and keep all the pieces clean when not in use. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | AP.621:1 to 21 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
