This case and combs are among the earliest surviving works of art made in Jamaica that reflect European influence. Highly prized for its colour, translucency and brilliant shine, tortoiseshell was used for furniture inlays and luxurious accessories in the 17th century. Their decorations were incised and brushed with resin, often coloured yellow to simulate gilding.

This set belongs to an intriguing group of tortoiseshell objects, including 45 combs, 26 cases and 2 caskets made in Jamaica between 1671 and 1692. Most of these objects are now in the National Institute of Jamaica. They bear a combination of European motifs and native plants such as palm, pineapple and cocoa trees.

The combs in this set are carved with tulips and sunflowers, inspired by late-17th century English embroidery. On the case are a palm tree and crops important to English trade, the sugar cane and cotton bush. The newly awarded coat-of-arms of Jamaica engraved on the other side of the case relates directly to Britain's seizure of the island from the Spanish.

Tortoiseshell objects were probably commissioned and given as gifts by English governors and their families to friends in England. In 1682, Lady Lynch, wife of governor Sir Thomas Lynch, sent one set of the combs and case to Lady Arlington, along with '400 lbs of the best white sugar from Barbados ... and some vanillas'. English sugar merchants in Jamaica signified their financial prosperity and upward mobility through these gifts to relatives and friends in England.

New research by Jade Lindo, a V&A/RCA History of Design MA student 2021-22, has determined that this case and its combs were probably made by Paul Bennett, recorded as a comb-maker in Port Royal, Jamaica in 1673. Bennett and another craftsman, Matthew Comberford worked for two decades until an earthquake in 1692 destroyed Port Royal.