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Description:
Ref: 740SB  http://hygra.com/box/740SB 

A very rare octagonal Georgian sewing box in harewood with crossbandings in various woods, ovals in burr yew, kingwood and book matched burr wood and inlays of fine leaves and dots. The top is decorated with a hand coloured print of a classical scene and framed in shaded maple, in the form of inlaid rippled ribbon. The whole orchestration of the decoration is rooted in the neoclassical tradition of the late 18th-early19th century and it is one of the finest examples of the genre. The interior contains a wealth of finely turned original sewing tools in the original tray and pieces of its two hundred year old sewing history. This box is an early example of Tunbridge ware, when the work made in the area was more in keeping with the general taste of the country and not particular to the area. There are however pointers to the work specific to the area, such as the subtle use of particularly beautiful small pieces of wood, finely turned wooden tools, the inlay of pointed leaves and dots and the painting of lines on turned pieces. The paper is also typical, although not exclusive to Tunbridge ware boxes. 

Origin: UK ;  Circa: 1800; Materials: .

Size: 28 cm wide by 22.5 cm by 12.5 cm:  11 inches wide by  8.9 inches by 4.9  inches.

Condition: Small areas of pitting on varnish, small breaks. See pictures. Fortunately the original thick varnish remains intact as does the decoration. It has escaped “refreshment”. A rare survivor!; working lock and key; see images

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Overview of the box showing the complex but perfectly harmonised elements of the decoration and shape. The framing, the inlaid ovals and the inlays of stylised flora are all symmetrical and balanced. They form the background for the movement within the coloured print.