Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
BE979.6.1132 |
Object Name |
Box |
Title |
Box |
Description |
A green-black product package that once contained hairpins. Incised on the lid are the words: The Louise Toilet Hair Pin Case. The top has a zigzag border and a floral design on each of the four corners of the rectangular box. There is a yellowed paper label with a straight black border on the bottom with trademarks that reads in black ink: The Louise Toilet Hair Pin Case Manufactured by Kirby, Beard & Co, Ltd. London and Birmingham. Marked on the middle is their trademark which is a crown with an elephant inside the crown surrounded by floral designs. |
Year Range from |
1853 |
Year Range to |
1940 |
Artist |
Kirby, Beard & Co, Ltd. |
Dimensions |
H-9 W-1 L-2 cm |
History |
Box originally contained hairpins that were used by the Harris ladies of Benares. It was later kept to hold several personal items to store in the bedrooms at Benares. Kirby Beard & Co. Ltd was founded by William Crowther in 1743 who began a pin-making factory in Gloucester, England. His son, Richard, took over the company and went into partnership with Robert Kirby and later George Beard and William Tovey. Their pin manufacturing premises were initially located in Gloucester and later moved to Birmingham, in 1853. The firm expanded with the purchase of other notable pin manufacturing companies. In 1861 they expanded by buying the rights to an automatic pin machine, significantly increasing their production. Kirby, Beard and Co. could be found on several items such as brass pins, safety pins, hairpins and needles. Their name would also be found on several jewellery pieces and pin-like products up until 1970. References: Kirby Beard & Co. Ltd, The Vintage Compact Shop https://thevintagecompactshop.com/blogs/antique-and-collectible-history/kirby-beard-co-ltd Kirby, Beard & Co, The British Museum https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG253470 Kirby, Beard & Co. Fiddlebase https://www.fiddlebase.com/needles/british-needle-makers/kirby-beard-co/ |
People |
Harris, Mary Harris, Naomi Harris, Annie |