Description
A particularly attractive early Victorian or late Regency rosewood box, dating to approximately 1830–1850.
The exterior is veneered in richly figured rosewood, with the dramatic variation in colour and grain that makes 19th-century rosewood so desirable. The box is finished with an extensive arrangement of inset brass mounts: broad brass straps reinforce the corners of the body, while shaped brass protectors wrap around the corners of the lid.
A small decorative brass cartouche is inset into the top, complemented by a shaped brass escutcheon to the front. The original-style steel key remains with the box and makes a lovely decorative detail in its own right.
Inside is perhaps its best surprise. The box is lined throughout in a wonderfully vivid green hand-marbled paper, with fine feathered decoration in blue, yellow and orange. The contrast between the restrained dark rosewood exterior and jewel-like green interior is particularly good.
The box shows the knocks, scratches, small losses and variations in finish expected of a genuinely old and well-used object. Rather than detracting from it, these give the piece the wonderfully mellow, slightly imperfect character that is so appealing in antique boxes.
A beautiful decorative object in its own right, but also very usable for storing letters, photographs, jewellery, watches and other personal pieces.
English, circa 1830–1850.
Dimensions:
Width: 28 cm
Depth: 19 cm
Height: 11 cm
Good antique condition with considerable age-related wear and patina.
There are visible scratches and marks to the rosewood, wear and tarnishing to the brass, some small veneer/finish imperfections and evidence of its long working life. The brass mounts themselves appear pleasingly irregular and worn rather than over-restored.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.