Antique 19th Century Victorian Period. Fine Ladies Sewing Box. Ebonised Finish Inlay Mother of Pearl. A stunning early Victorian period ladies Sewing or work box surely by one of Victorian London’s finest makers, probably “Jennens& Bettridge Makers to the Queen”. Externally in absolutely stunning inlaid mother of pearl and exquisite hand decorated in highly intricate floral designs with gilt highlights and edging. The lid open’s to reveal a sumptuous appointed interior, upper tray with individual compartments for individual mother of pearl and bone bobbins for cotton reels, needle case and pin cushions. The tray lifts out to reveal a lower compartment filled with cotton, wool and embroidery. We have left the original cotton, embroidery, needles and some pretty wool dollies in this piece. Originally the lid would have been hinged, it now sits on top of the base unattached. The sewing box or work box was a much loved personal home accessory, where the lady it belonged to kept her embroidery tools and materials. As ladies of a certain social standing did not have many outlets for their artistic creativity, ability to compose and embroider designs on fabric was seen as a major accomplishment. There are many references in literature to sewing, embroidery tools and boxes. In Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park the heroine Fanny Price finds solace in the room… Most dear to her” where ” The table between the windows was covered with work-boxes and netting -boxes Jane Austen herself had a large Chinese export lacquer box/table on stand complete with fitted tray, which can still be seen in her house in Chawton. The stylistic development of the work box mirrors that of the tea caddy. The main difference is that Tea Caddies are on the whole taller and narrower. The shapes and decoration however follow the same pattern except that work boxes revert to rectangular shapes after the middle of the 19th century. This really is a fine piece of furniture which would fantastic in both a period room or contemporary office. Dimensions: 12″(39.5cm) wide by 9″ (22.8cm) by 4 1/2(11.4cm) tall. A really stunning piece which would make a fantastic gift! The item “Sewing Work Box Antique Victorian Vintage Ladies Hand Inlay MOP C1845 jewellery” is in sale since Saturday, January 19, 2019. This item is in the category “Antiques\Woodenware\Boxes”. The seller is “trafalgar_antiques” and is located in Woking. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Product: Boxes
- Style/ Period: Victorian
- Product Sub-Type: Sewing Boxes
- Age: 1800-1849
- Sub-Type: Papier mache
- Primary Material: Papiermache
- Original/Repro: Original
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