BOX

An incomplete Post Medieval copper alloy tea caddy or trinket box, dating to the late 18th century. Only one relatively complete side of the object survives, with the lid and base completely missing. Significant damage to the remaining three sides means the decoration is difficult to discern. The box would have been rectangular in shape with a flared base and probably separate legs that would have fitted into the base panel. Traces of a lock and plate are clearest on the inside of the object, though the mechanism no longer survives. The mid brown-orange colour of the metal is still visible in places with patches of light green and light grey corrosion product across the object, suggesting a high lead content. The colour of the metal around the lock section is more golden in colour compared to that of the rest of the object, indicating that the plate and or mechanism may have been made of a different alloy.

The decoration is formed in repoussé and seems to depict tavern scenes with a scrolling border surrounding each scene and a further scrolling border of similar design skirting the base of the box.

Panel 1 (left to right): A female figure dancing right wearing a bonnet and dress of uncertain style. Male figure dancing left wearing three cornered hat, clothing obscured by corrosion. Male figure dancing right wearing three cornered hat, jacket and boots with the rest of the clothing indiscernible. Female figure dancing left with possible bonnet and wearing an open robe with underskirt. Male figure running left, only lower jacket, trousers and boots visible. Female figure running left wearing an open robe and possible bodice, holding the hand of the male in front. Male and female figures seated on a bench. Male figure standing on a barrel holding a possible flask of wineskin, wearing three cornered hat, jacket, trousers and boots. There is a barrel laying on its side in front of the other barrel with what appears to be a tree to the right, suggesting the scene is taking place outside. Furthermore, there appear to be sails in the background, suggesting the scene is at a port or harbour.

Panel 2 (left to right): A male figure standing left with arm raised, possibly in military uniform. Female figure standing right in conversation with seated male figure, both behind a table. The man appears to have a three cornered hat but the rest of the pairs clothing is difficult to discern. The woman has her arm linked with the first male figure. Another figure stands behind and to the right of the table, though it is difficult to determine whether they are male or female. A male figure sits on a stool to the right of the image and holds a tankard in his left hand, left arm extended downwards. He wears a three cornered hat, a jacket fastened at the top exposing his ample stomach and is also wearing trousers and boots. A mast is visible in the background at the top left of the scene, much like the first scene indicating a possible outdoor setting. However, there is not much else in the scene to indicate where it was taking place.

Panel 3 (left to right): All that remains on panel three are the heads and parts of the bodies of three figures, two male and one possibly female. All facing right in the left part of the scene. Two wear three cornered hats whilst the other wears a wide brimmed hat that looks like a bonnet, however the clothing and features of the individual are obscured, making it difficult to determine whether they are male or female. There are traces of what appear to be a lantern hanging from a tree branch to the far left of the scene, though this is obscured by corrosion and the general distortion of the object.

Panel 4 (left to right): Only a small trace of the scene survives in the top right corner, though it is impossible to determine what it depicts.

Discussion:

Based on the style of clothing, the object was likely designed in the late 18th century, when open robbed dresses and bodices were in fashion. The three-cornered hat had fallen out of fashion by the early 19th century, so it is unlikely to be any later due to the abundance of this style of hat in the scenes. The construction of the object suggests that it would have been locked, making it unlikely to have contained snuff or tobacco as these tended to be contained in open boxes. Tea caddies and trinket boxes sometimes had locks, though none have been found that are similar to this example.

Dimensions: length: 128.80 mm; width: 75.31 mm; height: 76.59 mm; weight: 388g.