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Antique Boxes in English Society
1760 -1900
by ANTIGONE
SEWING  BOXES
ANGLO INDIAN SEWING BOX


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Very Fine Early 19th C. Anglo Indian Ivory and  Sadeli  Mosaic Sewing Box.  Circa 1820
A very fine Sadeli mosaic inlaid Sewing Box from the beginning of the 19th C. The shaped and profusely decorated box stands on turned metal feet and open to a fully fitted tray still retaining its turned and inlaid enclosed spools. 

This box is in exceptionally good condition. 
Size : 25.5 cm wide , 18 cm deep 11.5 cm tall; 10 inches wide, 7 inches deep by 4.5 inches

The composition  is exquisite. Each panel is laid out to take full advantage of the contrasting colors and textures of the exotic and valuable materials. 
The mitering of the corners is exquisite.
Ivory, pewter, rosewood ebony and stained ivory were cut into faceted rods which were bound together to form geometric patterns. When the glue has set, the rods were sliced in transverse sections. This gave the maker a number of angled circular pieces in the original pattern. Several variations of patterns could be achieved by combining the materials in different ways. The ivory was sometimes dyed green as here to give an extra colour
The box has a working lock and key
The box opens to a fitted sewing tray which is also decorated with Sadeli mosaic. The upper part of the lid has a framed lift out  mirror.
Even the facings are inlaid with mosaic.
The box has five turned ivory spools and a small ivory thimble.
The finely turned ivory spools are decorated with mosaic.
The framed  mirror opens down to reveal a velvet lined compartment. It is not unusual as here for the mirror not to be finished on the back.
For the historical context of this writing box read the relevant part of Antigone's Online Antique Box Book. If you click here you will go there.

  © 2000 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly