Tobacco jar, England, 1790-1850

Made:
1790-1850 in England
Left 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

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Left 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

Cast lead tobacco jar, with damper and detachable lid, sides have moulded relief scenes of revellers - with clay pipes and wine - at a table, finial in the shape of a dog, English, 1790-1850

Containers for tobacco were traditionally known as jars, whatever material was used to construct them. Lead tobacco jars were first introduced in the 1750s and remained popular until the 1900s. The sides are decorated with scenes of revellers with clay tobacco pipes and wine. The lids were often decorated with a human figure or animal, in this case a dog. (Shown here with a similar example, A4409).

Details

Category:
Smoking
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A66576
Materials:
lead
Measurements:
overall: 125 mm x 130 mm x 100 mm, 1.72kg
lid: 45 mm x 130 mm x 100 mm, .19kg
box: 80 mm x 130 mm x 90 mm, 1.15kg
damper: 25 mm x 120 mm x 90 mm, .37kg
type:
tobacco jar
credit:
Wellcome Trust (Purchased from Stevens)