Hygra: A Scottish Made Rosewood with Mother of Pearl Sewing Box. Circa 1835

ANTIQUE BOXES
at the Sign of the Hygra
2 Middleton Road
London E8 4BL
Tel: 00 44 (0)20 7 254 7074
Fax: 00 44 (0) 870 1257669
email: boxes@hygra.com

Antique Boxes in English Society
1760 -1900
by ANTIGONE

SEWING BOXES

A ROSEWOOD AND MOTHER OF PEARL SEWING BOX

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A Rosewood and Mother of Pearl Sewing Box. Circa 1835

This is a shaped box in Brazilian rosewood with mother of pearl inlay Circa 1835. The rosewood is of good colour with strong figuring.

The box has the original turned drop ring handles and stands on its original turned and carved rosewood feet.

The shape, inlay and hardware of this box are in the late Regency style which combines neoclassical influences and exotic woods with impeccable workmanship.

The box is labeled George Johnston Glasgow.

Size : 30 cm wide , 22 cm deep 18 cm tall; 11.75 inches wide, 8.75 inches deep by 7 inches high.

	This box is in good original condition and retains its makers label spools and sewing tools. The lid part has a pocket for letters patterns and papers.
	The Top has a central finely inlaid panel of rosewood framed by a solid rosewood molding and fielded by further panels of inlaid rosewood.
	The box has a working lock and key

	The drop handles are turned from solid rosewood. The particular dramatic grain which shows that this is Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia Nigra) is unmistakable in both the handle and the background
	The box stands on turned and carved solid rosewood feet.

The Mother of Pearl inlay is engraved which helps to bring out the stylized scenes of birds, flora and deer.

The box retains its original blue colored fitted sewing tray and six mother of pearl spools. The blue is achieved with both blue silk and paper.

The central lift out tool tray: the ribbons probably started life the same colour.

The box retains its mother if pearl handled tatting tools, scissors and two thimbles.

The mother of pearl spools are turned carved and pierced. The underside of the spools, as can be seen is turned bone.

This type of spool comes apart to enable a wooden reel with thread to be inserted without rewinding.

The box retains its original label which reads:

George Johnston
Workbox, Dressing Case & Portable Desk
MANUFACTURERS

Combs & Brushes Miniature cases, Chessboards Jewel & Watch Cases	41 Arcade 4th Shop from Buchanan St Entrance	English & Foreign Toys Maps mounted or put into cases
	GLASGOW

MAKER OF FANCY PAPER BOXES

Pattern Cards Purses & Pocket Books
Card Cases &Boxes Bagatelle Tables

Portfolios, Backgammon Boards
Inkstands and Tea Chests

An Assortment of German Silver Goods ~ The Newest Patterns From the Best Makers
Merchants and Shipper Supplied on the most Liberal Terms
Repairs Done with Neatness & Dispatch,

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.

We are preparing a highly illustrated book on Antique Boxes and Tea caddies for publication next year by Schiffer Books USA. This box has been specially photographed for inclusion.