Bible boxes were made by regional artisans for wives of the Dutch colonial officials living in Sri Lanka or Batavia. Made of calamander, ivory, tortoise shell and silver these boxes would have traditionally held a small personal bible.

Tortoiseshell from the Celebes was one of the key marine products being traded to China since the 14th century or earlier, with Singapura acting as a key entrepot connecting the two. Tortoiseshell would continue to be a prized commodity even during the 19th century, and remain one of the most prized goods traded in Singapore; for instance, in 1828, tortoiseshell accounted for 42% of imports from the Celebes into Singapore. Even in 1852, it accounted for 10%.