Snuff-box

This silver gilt snuff-box has a painted ivory panel set inside the lid. It shows a European woman in a blue dress, baring her left breast. Behind her is a young male African servant, or slave, dressed in livery and wearing a silver collar with his right hand raised. A second hidden compartment would have had another painting, now erased, but only the blank ivory inset remains. Hutchinson registered his mark in 1736 with the address, Smarts Buildings near the Coal Yard, Holburn, London. Part of Michael Graham-Stewart slavery collection.

Object Details

ID: ZBA2452
Collection: Special collections
Type: Snuff-box
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Hutchinson, William
Date made: circa 1740
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Michael Graham-Stewart Slavery Collection. Acquired with the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund
Measurements: Snuff-box: 24 mm x 75 mm x 58 mm
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