'Spunk' box

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This wooden box for 'spunks' or sulphur matches dates from the early 19th century. It was turned out on a lathe at Kirkpatrick-Durham in Kirkcudbrightshire.

The box is in the form of a barrel which unscrews two-thirds of the way up. It has the initials R.I. (for Robert Innes) on the bottom.

Sulphur matches or 'spunks' have a long history, and may have been used by the Romans. Chemical methods of making fire were developed in the late 18th century and in the 1830s the first phosphorous matches - 'Congreves' - were introduced.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-604-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MGP 1
• Date: After 1791
  Early 19th century
  
• Material: Wood. Inscription: On bottom: R.I.
  Box, spunk
  
• Dimensions: 3.90" H x 1.30" D base
  
• What: Box, spunk
  
• Subject: Matches, of all kinds and containers (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Buchanites, Newhouse, Kirkpatrick-Durham (Maker)
  Mother Buchan
  Robert Innes (Owner)
  
• Where: Scotland, Kirkcudbrightshire, Kirkpatrick-Durham
  
• Event:
• Description: Wooden spunk-box in the form of a barrel which unscrews two-thirds of the way up, with the initials R.I. on the bottom, from Newhouse, Kirkpatrick-Durham, after 1791
  
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