Tobacco/ Trinket Box

This one-of-a-kind, heirloom quality jar is sure to become the centerpiece of your collection – with a real mid-19^th century feel to it. It is the merged creativity of myself and fellow artisan Mark Thomas Craftsman to the Past.

For the artwork, I chose an original engraving print by Michel Lienard, dated 1886. The winged griffin morphs into stylized florid scrolls. On close observation you will find flowering buds, leaves, and a lizard facing-off with the great mythical beast. Departing from my normal stylized signature, I chose to sign this piece in a cartouche to further maintain the early American feel of this imaginary winged beast and the container.

Mark is a proficient hand engraver, wood carver and silversmith of objects relating to the time period from Colonial America to the mid-19th century. He used a cow’s horn for the round jar shape. He crafted the base and lid from walnut.

The dark color of the hand turned base and lid make a perfect frame for the mottled whitish horn that became my engraving canvas. You can see the  small wooden pegs along the bottom edge of the horn, securing the barrel to the base. Mark Thomas’ touch mark or brand is on the bottom of the base.

This piece measures 4” in diameter and stands approximately 4 ¾ “ high. The scrimshaw covers an area more than 4” x 2” inches (covering almost 50% of the way around), making this one of my larger scrimshaw creations.