Jamaica:1687 - Coat of Arms?

[Barton68]

Hi, and thank you for looking...

My partner has tortoiseshell box, which states "Jamaica:1687", it also has a coat of arms perhaps in it's loosest term?

I just wondered if it was created as a real armorial, or just someones plaything.

Thank you for any help.

 

[leefer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Jamaica

Welcome Barton.....note the pineapples...i thought on your box they were thistles.
I reckon your box is probably 18th century.

http://nlj.gov.jm/gallery/Booklaunch-Jamaicain1687/index.html

The above link shows it drawn by book writer John Taylor....the old manuscript now takes pride of place in Jamaicas main museum.

It is a nice box....though the tortoise may not agreee:biggrin:

 

[gibbo]

A nice piece of work/art/box :biggrin:

Do you have any history on it at all? Such as was it passed down in your partners family etc.

Whats the rest of the box made out of? How big is the box? Is there any other offical markings anywhere else on the box?

 

[Barton68]

@Leefer, an interesting read, as I've never really looked into the history of Jamaica. Isn't it usually turtle shell?

@Gibbo, judging by other artefacts passed down, I think it must have only come into the family mid-19th century, as most things date from that period or later as the family was bankrupted. The family is most famously associated with India and its military. The family member was a General in the Royal Marines, and also out in India. His Father was married to a RN Commander.
Sorry that I have no more history than that. Do you think it may have been a protective cover for a copy of the manuscript?
Size: length – 8.25 inches, wide – 4.75 inches, and 0.25 inch thick.

Thanks both of you for the background.

 

[Barton68]

@Gibbo

Sorry forgot to say that the reverse is the same shell but has etched swirly patterns and coconut tree (palms), no official marks or writing.

 

[gibbo]

Hi,

The reason i wanted to know what size it was is that i found this today

Tortoiseshell comb case. Slightly different to yours tho with the one in the link appearing to have 2 lines of writing above the emblem and writing below the emblem.
You might have to scroll down a tad.
http://historymiamiarchives.org/online-exhibits/port-royal/port-royal-intro.htm

Maybe someone at a museum might be able to help find out more about it for you.

This one below is a far better picture of a comb case. If you click on the picture in the link it will enlarge.

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/13973/lot/50/

 

[Barton68]

Funny you should menyion comb-case...

 

[gibbo]

Are they pieces you have with the box?

 

[Barton68]

yes, they are inside the case and look pretty similar to the Bonhmas image.

 

[Barton68]

only 2 combs, I've showed both sides of the combs.

 

[gibbo]

Well my advice would be to get someone who specialises in this sort of thing and get confirmation its genuine.......... if it is you better get it insured if you havent already :biggrin:

I havent seen anything like that before. A lovely thing to have.

 

[Barton68]

It's going back into the bank this afternoon

Thanks for all your help.

 

[gibbo]

Your welcome

 

[leefer]

It's going back into the bank this afternoon

Thanks for all your help.

Just remember who your friends are when you sell it

 

[Barton68]

Just remember who your friends are when you sell it

I'll be old and grey by then :2fun:

Thanks for all your help.

 

[langpj]

only 2 combs, I've showed both sides of the combs.

Hello Barton68,
This is an unbelievable coincidence.
I too have a Jamaican wig comb case with 2 combs, dated 1687.
There is only one other known of this date and it's in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
I have been researching this work for about 12 years and am collaborating with a colleague (Jen Cruse, who has published 2 articles so far), to publish the definative article, hopefully in 2013.
I can tell you an awful lot about this object and the related boxes, caskets and table cabinets, if you are interested.
One thing that I am sure will interest you is that a 1673 case and 2 combs sold in Bonhams Bond Street on 21st November for £23,750.( Lot 9 Fine English Furniture Sale No 20027).
It would be of great assistance to our research to be able to record, measure and photograph, your example. Would you be agreeable to this?
The exciting aspect from our point of view is that 1687 marks the beginning of the "second period" in the production of these objects. which began in 1671 and continued until 1685,(end of "First Period").
No objects have yet been found for 1686, and the second period then continued from 1687 until 1692, when Port Royal suffered a massive earthquake and was subsequently abandoned.
1687 is an important year, and it would be so helpful for us to be able to study the engraving style and subject matter of your case and combs, in order to tie in with what knowledge we already have,
Sorry for pedantry and content, but you really have something rather important, and it deserves be included in the project.
Kind regards,
Peter