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Description:
Ref: 808JB http://hygra.com/808JB  
Highly Figured Coromandel box with engraved brass edging and mounts having two Bramah type locks. The box has a lift out tray and a drawer fitted for jewelry,   One of the locks is stamped with a crown and "VR PATENT" and "VR BRAMAHS".  The other, the drawer lock "JT NEEDS 100 NEW BOND ST" and "LATE BRAMAH 124 PICCIDILLY". Circa 1875.

Origin: UK ;  Circa: 1875; Materials: Brass and coromandel on a mahogany structure.

Size: 31cm wide by 23.5 cm by 17.3 cm:  12.2  inches wide by   9.25 inches by  6.8 inches.

Condition: good overall; working locks and key; see images

Keywords: Coromandel, engraved brass, Antique, jewelry, Bramah, Bramah lock, JT Needs, 100 New Bond Street, 124 Piccadilly,   jewelry box,

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The box is of mahogany construction and veneered with highly figured coromandel, a type of ebony ,which got its name from the  the Coromandel Coast in Tamil Nadu Southern India. It is also known as Macassar Ebony, Calamender wood, Golden Ebony.

The veneers  are about 1mm in thickness and are saw cut. The wood is hard and dense and cannot be knife cut as it remains too brittle.

The box is edged with  rounded brass which is both decorative and structural.  It is held to the box by  brass pins driven through at an angle. 

The top and front of the box also have inlaid brass lines and engraved corner ornaments depicting stylized flowers. 

 

To the sides there are countersunk brass carrying handles.  The brass is engraved with a floral motif.

The facings are inlaid with engraved brass.

Detail of the drawer lock. 

It is stamped: "JT NEEDS 100 NEW BOND ST" and "LATE BRAMAH 124 PICCIDILLY". 

Bramah’s business was acquired by J. T. Needs & Co in 1871

 

 

 The main is stamped with a crown and "VR PATENT" and "VR BRAMAHS".

Both locks are operated with the same key.

See:

http://hygra.com/locks/Bramah/

http://hygra.com/locks/Bramah/opening-a-bramah-lock.htm 

The Bramah lock gave a new level of security to boxes. The presence of a Bramah lock which were complicated to manufacture is almost a sure sign that the box with it was intended for the quality end of the market.   

The drawer with velvet pads and leather covered divisions  is fitted for jewelry.

There is some veneer cracking to the top. This does not effect the box structurally as the coromandel veneer is glued to a mahogany structure.