Veterinary Box

A dark brown wooden veterinary box with a dark brown leather closure. On the front facing side is a deteriorated green label with gold lettering and red detailing. Areas of damage, especially on the lid are slightly paler than the main box.

Identification

  • Object Type: Veterinary box
  • Date: 1914
  • Origin: Grimsby
  • Owner: Private
  • Maker: Osmond and Sons ltd, with possible modifications by a later owner (leather handles and straps).
  • Measurements: 
    • Length: 19.2 cm
    • Width: 44.8 cm
    • Height: 22.1 cm 
  • Materials: Wood, paper, leather, Iron and brass (Nails and hinges)

Summary

The Veterinary box is dated to 1914, by looking at the labels (a label glass bottle dating the start of the company to 1854, and the box’s label dating 60 years later). There are previous fixes from a break in the lid where bug infestation caused weaknesses in the structure, and the lid is now back to front. 

The owner is a collector of similar boxes and hopes to gather more original bottles to complete the box. 

Behind the Scenes

A dark brown wooden veterinary box with a dark brown leather closure. On the front facing side is a deteriorated green label with gold lettering and red detailing. Areas of damage, especially on the lid are slightly paler than the main box.
Object prior to conservation treatment
This depicts the process of removing dirt accumulated over time from the leather strap of a veterinary box. The leather strap sits centrally in the image. A hand in a blue nitrile glove holding a cotton swab is left of the frame. The conservator is using cotton swabs and white spirit, and therefore has gloves on.
The process of removing dirt accumulated over time from the leather strap.

The conservator who treated this object is Sophie, click on the profile to learn more.

Note: All images were taken by the conservator unless stated otherwise.

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