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LicenseLeft hand side: A4409, Lead tobacco jar, circular with detachable lid and finial in the form of a black person's head, moulded decoration, English, 1780-1850
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Lead tobacco jar, circular with detachable lid and finial in the form of a black person's head, moulded decoration, English, 1780-1850
Containers for tobacco were traditionally known as jars, whatever material was used to construct them. The lid of this lead tobacco jar is decorated with the head of an enslaved African-American. This type of decoration was common and is a direct connection to the plantations where tobacco was grown and harvested by enslaved workers. (Shown here with a similar example, A66576).
Details
- Category:
- Smoking
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A4409
- Materials:
- lead
- Measurements:
-
overall: 120 mm 135 mm, 1.32kg
base: 70 mm 130 mm, .79kg
lid: 50 mm 135 mm, .53kg
- type:
- tobacco jar
- credit:
- Wellcome Trust (Purchased from Stevens)
