A Rosewood three compartment  brass Inlaid Tea Chest with gadrooned framings having twin lift-out  wooden canisters flanking a cut crystal bowl standing on embossed gilded brass feet and with drop handles, Circa 1825.

It measures 13  inches  wide  by 6.5  inches deep and it is  8.25 inches  high including feet:  

33 cm wide by 16.5 cm deep by 21 cm high.

This piece demonstrates a truly glamorous use of brass inlay. Although still in a controlled pattern, both the shape of the box and the design are quite elaborate. 

The Design is symmetrical yet fluid, starting from a central neo classical palmette motif and developing into more naturalistically trailing stylized flora. This is characteristic of the George IV period.

 

The embossed drop ring handles are particularly fine. The chest is also accented with gadrooning and stands on stylized paw feet.

  The handles are held in place by a strap which passes over  the ring and is splayed out on the inside of the chest. This method of fixing invariably becomes a little loose. The imprint showing that this handle has lived here for ever is clearly visible.

The accuracy of the inlay is exceptional. There is a fluid curve to the brass which is inlaid into the rosewood.  This is inlay at its height. The cutting line between the two materials is almost invisible. 

Top view showing the striations in the figure of the wood. The Design is symmetrical yet fluid, starting from a central neo classical palmette motif and developing into more naturalistically trailing stylized flora. 

The interior contains two lift out containers also in rosewood. The lid is lined in rosewood as are the facings and the bowl holding compartment. 

The interior bottom part of the caddy is lined in mahogany which is edged in rosewood.
The lift out containers are of solid mitered  construction and retain much of the original lead lining. The lead lining is worn on the lids.

The inside of the lid and the edges of the canisters are framed with gadrooning.

The tops of the canisters are decorated with inlaid brass fleur-de-lis. This motif was favored by George IV for its association with the Bourbon French royal family.

The velvet lined bowl well with mitered rosewood table.

The quality of workmanship of this chest is particular. The hinges look undisturbed since first fitted.

The screws on this hinge even line up! 

The gadrooning to the top panel the mitered rosewood facings the mahogany linings edged with a rosewood bead.

The cut crystal bowl is also exceptional. It has curves and straight hobnail cuts. It is probably Irish and and is much the same date as the chest. There are marks on the inside of the lid which show that it may once have contained a bowl with a less rounded edge-- which was a very tight fit.