Important Green Reeded Horn Vizagagapatam Sewing box Circa 1835 (c) hygra.com

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Antique Boxes in English Society
1760 -1900
by ANTIGONE
Sewing Boxes

Sewing Boxes

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Important and Impressive Radiating Green Horn Vizagapatam Antique Fitted Sewing box, circa 1835.

This is an important and impressive Anglo Indian (Vizagapatam) horn sewing box. The top is made up of large radiating segments of buffalo horn. In the center is a knob which is overhanging. This is turned and carved. The whole stands on turned horn feet. It is in wonderful condition maintaining its integrity and patina. The color is now a green glow. The inside is sandal wood.
It measures: 14.75"by 10.75" and7.5 " tall.

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See:

Anglo Indian

Sewing Boxes

Detail: the knob is in four layers and in absolute perfect proportion to the top which is nearly three inches over a foot wide. The carving is exceptionally fine concluding in sharp elegant points.

For comparison see:

http://www.hygra.com/aitc.htm

and in our book:

Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700--1880, ISBN: 0764316885 Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, A Schiffer Book for collectors..

The impact of the top is difficult to convey. I don't think I have ever seen a better example of uninterrupted radiating horn. The pieces of horn are large and would in themselves have been prized and fought over materials.

It is only the master who would have earned the position and the right to make such a box as this.

To try and convey the impact here with a little space is the top: press F11 to enlarge the space. you can toggle back by pressing F11 again.

Antique Vizagapatam Horn Fitted Sewing box, circa 1835 (detail)

Detail of top: the knob has a lathe turned center, then sixteen segments, then sixteen further segments, and the top thirty two radiating pieces of horn. and all is carved to an absolute sharpness.

And inside: lined with sandal wood still retaining its particular perfume, separate internal lids mitered top, and most unusually turned horn sewing tools:

Side view showing the continuity of style and quality. The sewing tools are visible in their precise positions which they fit snuggly.

The precision and symmetry is evident throughout the piece. Hinges handles and original velvet are all in good order.
The lift out tray has two little drop handles.

The spools are finely turned. Such sewing tools and the horn thimble are rare, especially of such quality.

For comparison see:

Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700--1880, ISBN: 0764316885 Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, A Schiffer Book for collectors..

For the historical context of this box read the relevant part of Antigone's Online Antique Box Book. If you click here you will go there.

We have written a highly illustrated book on Antique Boxes and Tea caddies which has being published by Schiffer Books USA.