Description:
Ref: 660SB  http://hygra.com/box/660SB 

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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