A mid-19^th century Indian colonial silver cigarillo case, Calcutta circa 1850 by Hamilton and Co

Of tapering oval form, the hinged lid with push button release, the body with all over engraved decoration of foliate scrolls and lattice work reserves against a striated ground. The top of lid with a vacant cartouche. Gilt interior. The base marked with H&C, elephant, Roman capital A, tally mark.

Length – 11.5 cm / 4.6 inches

Weight – 138 grams / 4.44 ozt

The only candidate as engraver known to have been in Calcutta at that period is Louis (Lewis) James Piesse who arrived in Calcutta towards the end of 1845 having earlier acted as Quartermaster on Capt. Charles Sturt’s exploration into Central Australia 1844/5 (courtesy Wynyard Wilkinson)