This late 19th Century sterling silver cigarette container was used by Sir Richard John Musgrave, 5th Bt, and Lady Musgrave (nee Jessie Sophia Dunsmuir), 6th daughter of Hon. Robert and Joan Dunsmuir. This historically important and well-made object bearing the Musgrave family coat of arms is tangible evidence of the Vancouver Island Dunsmuir family’s first marriage into the British aristocracy.
Hallmarks and the retailer’s mark on this object reveal that it was made in 1889 by George Heath of London, England. It was subsequently retailed by the firm of Albert Baker, 5 New Bond St., London W., England. The container then became the property of Sir Richard and Lady Musgrave and was engraved with the partial coat of arms of the family, Musgrave of Tourin.
On September 23, 1891, Sir Richard John Musgrave, 5th Bt married Jessie Sophia Dunsmuir, sixth daughter of Hon. Robert and Joan Dunsmuir. The wedding took place at Victoria’s Christ Church Cathedral and the reception was held at Craigdarroch Castle. The couple travelled to Ireland to reside at Tourin, the ancestral home of the Musgrave family at Cappoquin, co. Waterford, Ireland. Sir Richard and Lady Musgrave were both photographed smoking cigarettes during their lifetimes, and they used this case at Tourin. The case remained at Tourin until it was given to Craigdarroch Castle by their descendants in 2018.