‘Presents from Native Chiefs Disposal of- on account of the Honble Company with the exception of a Diamond Snuffbox of Turkish manufacture, which is forwarded to the Honble the Court of Directors for the Museum at the East India House.-’

Content

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions, cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. to the East India Company Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. , 30 August 1854. The enclosures are dated 28 August 1852-August 1854.

The item relates to a gold Turkish snuffbox presented, amongst other gifts, to Major Atkins Hamerton, HM Consul and Company Agent in the dominions of the Imaum [Imām] of Muscat, by the Imaum in 1852. Hamerton forwards the gifts to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , who order them to be sold at public auction except for the snuffbox which is to be held in the treasury. Hamerton provides details of the gifts' background and former owners, who include Mahammed Ali the Vice Roy of Egypt [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pāshā al-Mas‘ūd bin Āghā].

The item also contains later papers from 1854 in which the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. orders a list (included in item) of presents from 'native chiefs', including the snuffbox, to be sold at auction by Bennett & Company. After failing to sell for its estimated value, the box is returned to the Acting Sub-Treasurer. The Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. order the box to be sent to the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. , for deposit in their museum at East India House.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', Draft Number '20 1855', 'Collection No. 7 of No. 61 of 1854', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection number was given as '1' but this has been crossed out and replaced with '7'.

Extent and format

1 item (13 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the item. The item also contains a table of contents (ff 958-959), noting ‘No’, ‘From’, ‘To’, ‘Subject’, ‘Date and No. of Docu[men]t’ and ‘Date and No. of Consul[tation]’.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 957, and terminates at f 969, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/F/4/2586/154800

History of this record

Date(s)

28 Aug 1852-30 Aug 1854 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

AuctionsGifts

People & organisations

Government of BombayPolitical Agent and Consul, ZanzibarĀl Bū Sa'īd dynasty, Imam of Muscat and Oman

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Cite this record in your research

‘Presents from Native Chiefs Disposal of- on account of the Honble Company with the exception of a Diamond Snuffbox of Turkish manufacture, which is forwarded to the Honble the Court of Directors for the Museum at the East India House.-’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/2586/154800, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100157619196.0x000001> [accessed 8 July 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100157619196.0x000001

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