Description:
A Very High Quality Brass bound  London maker Coromandel Dressing Box circa 1859 with gilt silver and with a lower spring opening  drawer fitted for jewelry. 

Maker:  FARTHING & THORNHILL.

working Bramah lock.

Origin: UK

Circa: 1859

Materials: coromandel, gilt silver.

Size: 12" by 9" by 6.9":  30.5cm by 23cm by 17.5cm. 

Condition: The box has a shellac finish and is overall in very good original condition.

For further information on the background see The Online Box Book.

The box is veneered with beautifully figured coromandel ebony and brass bound. the working lock is Brahma.

The  patented Brahma lock. 

To engage the key is pushed into the lock. The sprung  levers of the lock are brought to the right positions by grooves cut in the barrel of the key rather than the flag.  This results in a very neat small key.

There are countersunk brass handles to the sides.

In the center is a tray with essential tools for live: manicure,  scissors,  boot lacing, and the opening of perfume bottles. The silver is lavish and engraved chased and then gilded to avoid the need to polish.

The button on the back facing is used to release the spring released drawer.

 

The Silver is of high quality and  hallmarked London 1859/

To the very left is the "maker's" mark. The next punch is the "Queen's head". 
The next mark "Lion Passant"  denotes that this is silver of sterling standard. (925)
 The date letter "d" is next, and finally the "Leopard's head for London.

This is the entry  for London 1859/60 in English Goldsmiths and Their Marks by Sir Charles J. Jackson

The plate in the middle of the top is engraved with an E and a D intertwined.

The drawer is dovetail constructed.

 The gilt silver topped bottles

 In the center is a tray with essential tools for live: manicure,  scissors,  boot lacing, and the opening of perfume bottles. The silver is lavish and engraved chased and then gilded to avoid the need to polish.