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Box and lid
Unknown - Enlarge image
Box and lid
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
ca. 1667 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Carved boxwood
- Museum number:
M.826:1, 2-1926
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 54b, case 14
Object Type
This box may have contained a miniature portrait or possibly even snuff. Nothing is known of its owner, Joan Bacon, except that she supported the monarchy.
Design
The box bears the coat of arms of Charles II, who reigned from 1660 to 1685.
Materials & Making
Boxwood is a close-grained hardwood particularly suited to small and intricate carving. Its colour ranges from yellow to orange-brown and when polished it develops a shiny surface. Box was then grown in south-east England and John Evelyn, in Silva: or A Discourse on Forest-Trees (1662), said it was 'of special use for the turner, engraver, carver who give great prices for it by weight, as well as measure'.
