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BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseBrass tobacco box
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Brass tobacco box
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Brass tobacco box, puzzle variety with two combination lock dials on hinged lid, European, 1801-1880
To open this brass tobacco box, one had to solve the puzzle of the locks. Perhaps the owner was concerned some might get stolen if he wasn’t careful. Ironically, given the health problems that would later be associated with tobacco, the front is engraved with the figure of Asklepios, the Greek and Roman god of healing and medicine, and his symbol, a snake entwined around a rod. Tobacco boxes were very personal items and came in a variety of shapes, sizes and decorations.
Details
- Category:
- Smoking
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A48997
- Measurements:
-
overall: 45 mm x 160 mm x 90 mm, .34kg
- type:
- tobacco box
- credit:
- Moore Garrard
