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ANTIQUE BOXES
at the Sign of the Hygra
2 Middleton Road
London E8 4BL
Tel: 00 44 (0)20 7254 7074
email: boxes@hygra.com |
Antique Boxes in English Society
1760 -1900
by ANTIGONE
Sewing Boxes |
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Antique Fitted Sewing Box in
Coromandel Inlaid with Mother of Pearl circa 1845. |
A quality sewing box made by Turill. The name of the maker
is engraved on a plaque inset into the back facing of the lower
part of the box.
The box is veneered in coromandel wood.
The top is inlaid with three classical figures in mother of
pearl. These are perhaps meant to represent the three Goddesses
which competed for the apple of Eris in the judgment of Paris,
although the symbolism of the totems they are carrying is somewhat
confused.
A rare piece with unusual features.
Circa 1840-45.
It measures: 10.8" wide by 7.75" and 4.75"
tall.
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![](images/cd33_small.jpg) |
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![](images/cd35_small.jpg) |
Details of the figures and their garments are emphasized by engraving
on the mother of pearl. The Goddesses are depicted in profile
which is consistent with classical tradition.
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![](images/cd35crop.jpg)
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The interior of the box is luxuriously fitted, the top
unusually edged with embossed leather in colors.
The spools which are in mother of pearl are of the early type.
They screw onto the bone shaft construction and they have the
surprising addition of painted butterflies in the center of the
mother of pearl circles.
The back padded section folds down to reveal a mirror surrounded
by silk "pockets". See last picture.
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![](images/cd37_small.jpg) |
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Detail showing the maker's name :
Turrill Dressing & Writing
Case Maker
- 250 Regent Street.
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![](images/cd3717.jpg) |
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![](images/cd3718.jpg) |
The original tray is exceptionally well constructed as are
the covers and pin cushions.
Sewing tools on the central velvet covered top. |
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Detail of the colorfully embossed leather and velvet silk ribboned
padded back.
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![](images/cd3719.jpg) |
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Unusually the lower disk of the spool is also turned mother of pearl
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The back padded section folds down to reveal a mirror surrounded
by silk "pockets".
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![sbcd3336.jpg (63502 bytes)](images/sbcd3336_small.jpg) |
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This box is featured in our forthcoming book
on Antique Boxes www.hygra.com/cover
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