The silver casket is believed to have originated in South Asia in the eighteenth century. The casket was owned and displayed by Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore from 1782-1799. Despite the fierce resistance against British colonisation by Tipu and his forces, the silver casket was seized from the “Tiger of Mysore’s” palace by soldiers of the East India Company in 1799 during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. The casket was one of many treasures looted, including jewellery, armour and Tipu’s golden throne. Brought back to Britain, the casket was passed down through the Fraser family and was eventually donated to the British Museum, where it remains on display today.