Box
Indian - (Vizagapatam, Madras) School
Category
Wooden objects
Date
Unknown
Materials
Sandalwood and ivory
Measurements
65 mm (H)155 mm (W)220 mm (D)
Place of origin
Vizagatappatam
Collection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1184717.3.1
Summary
One of three sandalwood boxes or caskets, the sliding lid inset with a circular ivory medallion inscribed and lacquered in black with the initial 'P' under an Earl's coronet. This box's lid is also a cribbage board, the blocks of ten peg holes drilled into inlaid rectangles of ivory, containing a set of black (horn) and white (ivory) draughts, two cups (one white (ivory) one black (horn)), and a dice. The interior of the box had a small compartment that had become unglued that covers a small drawer. The drawer is missing it's handle and holds a silvered key which fits the backgammon board ensuite. Total number of items 36. En-suite with the board 1180676.
Provenance
Recorded in 1944 Inventory as ‘A 19in Indian ivory backgammon board 3 inner boxes containing chessmen draughtsmen 2 dice throwers 1 box lid fitted as cribbage marker' in Tapestry Drawing Room (Blue Drawing Room). Purchased by the National Trust with funding from The National Heritage Memorial Fund from John George Herbert, 8th Earl of Powis and Powis Estate Trustees in August 1999.
Makers and roles
Indian - (Vizagapatam, Madras) School , maker