Tinder Box
ca. 1870 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The silver tinder box is in the form of an open-ended tube deeply worked in repousse ornament in a style known as "swami work". This was characterised by the depiction of Hindu deities, usually within cartouches reserved against scrolling decoration. A stopper surmounted by a monkey is attached to the tube with a chain. The style was particularly associated with the Madras firm of P. Orr and Sons, who were appointed "Jewellers and Silversmiths to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales" on 22 April 1876 during his official tour of India that year. The patterns on this piece are very close to those illustrated in the firm's catalogue issued ca. 1876, suggesting that it was made at about the same time.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, repoussé |
| Brief description | Silver tinder box, open-ended tube with repoussé ornament and monkey stopper, probably made by P. Orr & Sons, Madras, ca. 1870 |
| Physical description | The silver tinder box is in the form of an open-ended tube deeply worked in repousse ornament in a style known as "swami work", and featuring Hindu deities within cartouches with scrolling decoration between the cartouches. A stopper surmounted by a monkey is attached to the tube with a chain. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | 19. TINDER TUBE or PORTFIRE
Silver, chased with 'swami' motifs
P.Orr and Sons, Madras
c.1875
This tube held a slow burning fuse for lighting cannon safely. It is decorated in the style known as 'swami' work which was popular in South India towards the end of the 19th century. P.Orr & Sons, a firm of Scottish origin, was its leading practitioner.
Lent by Mr Tom Illingworth(2001) |
| Credit line | Given by Mr Tom Illingworth |
| Historical context | 'Swami' work was popular with British customers in South India towards the end of the 19th century and in Britain, especially from the late 1870s when gifts of Swami work made to the Prince of Wales were displayed in Britain and in Paris. |
| Production | Probably made by the firm of P. Orr and Sons, Madras. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The silver tinder box is in the form of an open-ended tube deeply worked in repousse ornament in a style known as "swami work". This was characterised by the depiction of Hindu deities, usually within cartouches reserved against scrolling decoration. A stopper surmounted by a monkey is attached to the tube with a chain. The style was particularly associated with the Madras firm of P. Orr and Sons, who were appointed "Jewellers and Silversmiths to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales" on 22 April 1876 during his official tour of India that year. The patterns on this piece are very close to those illustrated in the firm's catalogue issued ca. 1876, suggesting that it was made at about the same time. |
| Other number | LOAN:ILLINGWORTH.1 - Previous loan number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.212-2006 |
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| Record created | August 7, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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