{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O126888"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O126888/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O126888","accessionNumber":"IS.212-2006","objectType":"Tinder box","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"The silver tinder box is in the form of an open-ended tube deeply worked in repousse ornament in a style known as \"swami work\". This was characterised by the depiction  of Hindu deities, usually within cartouches reserved against scrolling decoration. A stopper surmounted by a monkey is attached to the tube with a chain. The style was particularly associated with the Madras firm of P. Orr and Sons, who were appointed \"Jewellers and Silversmiths to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales\" on 22 April 1876 during his official tour of India that year. The patterns on this piece are very close to those illustrated in the firm's catalogue issued ca. 1876, suggesting that it was made at about the same time.","physicalDescription":"The silver tinder box is in the form of an open-ended tube deeply worked in repousse ornament in a style known as \"swami work\", and featuring Hindu deities within cartouches with scrolling decoration between the cartouches. A stopper surmounted by a monkey is attached to the tube with a chain.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"P. Orr & Sons","id":"A5412"},"association":{"text":"makers","id":"AAT251917"},"note":"probably"}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silver","id":"AAT11029"}],"techniques":[{"text":"repoussé","id":"AAT54023"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver, repoussé","categories":[{"text":"Containers","id":"THES48972"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Hinduism","id":"THES48941"}],"styles":[{"text":"swami work","id":"x39995"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"015","id":"THES394696"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Tinder box","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Madras","id":"x31964"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1870","earliest":"1865-01-01","latest":"1874-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Mr Tom Illingworth","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"11","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"'Swami' work was popular with British customers in South India towards the end of the 19th century and in Britain, especially from the late 1870s when gifts of Swami work made to the Prince of Wales were displayed in Britain and in Paris.","briefDescription":"Silver tinder box, open-ended tube with repoussé ornament and monkey stopper, probably made by P. Orr & Sons, Madras, ca. 1870","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"Probably made by the firm of P. Orr and Sons, Madras.","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"monkeys (animals)","id":"x30136"},{"text":"cartouches","id":"AAT10256"},{"text":"scrolls (motifs)","id":"AAT10094"},{"text":"deities","id":"x31373"}],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Hinduism","id":"AAT73727"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"19. TINDER TUBE or PORTFIRE\r\nSilver, chased with 'swami' motifs\r\nP.Orr and Sons, Madras\r\nc.1875\r\nThis tube held a slow burning fuse for lighting cannon safely. It is decorated in the style known as 'swami' work which  was popular in South India towards  the end of the 19th century. P.Orr & Sons, a firm of Scottish origin, was its leading practitioner.\r\n\nLent by Mr Tom Illingworth","date":{"text":"2001","earliest":"2001-01-01","latest":"2001-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["IS.212-2006"],"accessionNumberNum":"212","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":2006,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"Previous loan number","id":"THES50326"},"number":"LOAN:ILLINGWORTH.1"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-07","recordCreationDate":"2006-08-07","availableToBook":false}}