Snuffbox

Description

Snuff box containing a lock of hair, taken by Corporal Thomas Caldwell, 78th Regiment, from the Bibighar at Cawnpore (Kanpur), where British civilians were killed during the Indian Mutiny/Uprising (1857 - 1858), and sent to his mother on or after 13 October 1857

Museum reference

M.1935.172.1

Object name

Snuffbox, Lock, hair

Date

Pre 1857

Materials

Metal, Human hair

Physical description

Rectangular metal snuff box, the top of which is decorated with floral and filigree patterns in relief with a rectangle in the centre. The side edges of the box are decorated with a braided pattern also in relief. The hair inside is wrapped in a small piece of paper with remnants of handwriting.

Associations

British land forces: 78th Regiment of Foot
Previous owner: Caldwell, Thomas, Corporal, 1857 (fl.)
War: Siege of Cawnpore
War: Indian Mutiny / Uprising
Cawnpore, India, South Asia

On display

national war museum »
nw00 »
g006