Antique fully fitted sewing box in almost black coromandel ebony profusely
inlaid to the top and front with engraved mother of
pearl, abalone, green parkesine, and brass. Inside there is
the lift-out tray with its original purple velvet coverings
and supplementary lids. Inside the lid is lined with rushed cream
coloured silk framed with gold embossed purple silk velvet
framing. There is a document wallet
behind. The box has mother of pearl handled sewing tools and
turned and carved mother of pearl spools. Parkeseine was the
invention of Alexander Parks of Birmingham and was manufactured in
his factory in Hackney. It is generally accepted as being the first
plastic and was the predecessor of the American invention of
celluloid which was similar but about 10 years later.
Origin: UK ; Circa:
1860; Materials:
coromandel, brass, abalone, mother of pearl, parkesine Size: 30.5 cm wide by 23 cm by 12.27 cm: 12
inches wide
by 9 inches by 5 inches.
Condition: good
overall; veneer cracking which should not effect the structure, working lock and key; see images
Keywords: Sewing box, mother of pearl, parkesine, early plastic,
celluloid, zylonite, ebony, inlaid, marquetry, Alexander
Parks, Hackney, International Exhibition 1862, first
plastic, invention, Elkington's, Tyrian Purple,
mauveine, William Henry Perkin,
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Antique
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