Accession Number

2000.009.001.003

Description

One rectangular rosewood box with rounded corners, the brass-hinged lid with an inset shield made of mother-of-pearl. The inside of the box is lined with a deep red velvet floor. On this floor is a raised circular ring intended to secure a pocket watch in it. The lid's underside is lined in deep red silk or satin lining with gilded lettering: "GOLAY, LERESCHE & FILS GENEVRE Rue de la Paix, 2 PARIS"

Narrative

This box was used by successive generations of the Dunsmuir to store the gold pocket watch, 2000.009.001.001a-c. That watch is too small to properly fit into the circulator compartment in the box. But since the family used all three objects together for so long, the decision was taken to collect and accession the set. 

History of Use

The watch that this rosewood box and its associated leather carrying pouch was stored in by the Dunsmuir family was owned by Hon. James Dunsmuir until his death in 1920. It was then inherited by the donor's grandfather, Guy Mortimer Audain, who was married to James Dunsmuir's eldest daughter, Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir.  The next owner was his son, James Guy Payne Audain. On his death, the watch became the property of his son, the donor. 

Because of the watch's age (made 1866), there is a possibility that it once belonged to James Dunsmuir's father, Hon. Robert Dunsmuir.

Part of the reasoning for this hypothesis is that James Dunsmuir was only 15 years old when this watch was made and would not likely have been given such a valuable object at that young age. It is also reasonable to assume that such an important personal object, if owned by Robert Dunsmuir, would have been given to one of his sons by their mother. If it had been given to son Alexander Dunsmuir, and not to James Dunsmuir, then James would have inherited it from Alexander because James was Alex's sole beneficiary when Alexander died in 1900. 

Various photographs of James and Robert Dunsmuir wearing watchchains have survived. These are: Craigdarroch Castle Collection: 2009.019.020; BCA HP99183; BCA C-4922; BCA E1246; BCA A-1253; BCA E-1248. In all of these photographs, the chains are much more substantial than the one currently attached to this watch. The photographs of James Dunsmuir wearing a thick curved-link chain were all taken after 1881, the year that he received a gift of a gold watch and chain from the residents of Wellington. He may or may not be wearing this watch (2000.9.1). Only the chain is visible in these photographs, and watchchains are easily changeable. No photographs depicting the actual watch worn by James, Alex, or Robert Dunsmuir are known to exist as of March, 2022. However, it is certain that this watch (2000.9.1) is not the one presented to James Dunsmuir in 1881, because that one was engraved. The rationale for thinking that this watch might have belonged to Robert Dunsmuir is of course speculative. However, its history of use by James Dunsmuir is certain.

In summary, the donor's father, James Guy Payne Audain, knew his grandfather James Dunsmuir and knew that this was his watch. Mr. Audain told his son, the donor, about its history of use by James Dunsmuir.They stored the watch in this leather pouch and rosewood box, and so they should be considered a set. This is why accession of the pouch and box is recommended.

1. Nanaimo Free Press, February 5, 1881: "On Friday evening last a large number of residents of Wellington sat down to a sumptuous supper in the Forester's Hall...After ample justice had been done to the delicious viands, the principal event of the evening took place - the presentation to Mr. James Dunsmuir of a gold watch and chain, and a silver tea service to Mrs. Dunsmuir, from the residents of Wellington...The watch and chain and the tea service was obtained from C.E. Redfern, Victoria, and are really beautiful articles. On the watch is the following inscription: Presented to James Dunsmuir, Esq., as a mark of respect by the employees of the Wellington Collieries, Feb. 4, 1881.

Date

circa 1880

Material

Wood, rosewood; Fabric, silk; Metal, brass; Shell, mother of pearl

Technique

Sawn; Varnished; Tooled

Country of Origin

Republic of France