Description:

A larger than is usual, London made,  rosewood veneered box, with brass surround  The figure of the rosewood is strong, suggesting Brazilian origin. It contrasts well with the brass which serves both as a decorative as well as a strengthening feature. The interior is lined in silk, velvet and gold embossed leather. The gold tooling is very fine. The box has a sprung drawer fitted for jewelry.

Origin: United Kingdom

Circa: 1840.

Size: 13.2” x 9.8”  6.9” tall.  33.5cm x 25cm 17.5cm tall.

Condition: There are a few scratches and indentations and veneer cracking which do not affect the structure .

 

The box bears the label of Fisher, 188 Strand.

The box has a working Bramah lock.

The box retains its velvet and leather compartmentalized tray.

The  gold embossed leather surrounding the velvet of the lid gives a sumptuous rich quality. The gold tooling is very fine.

There is a document wallet in the lid. 

Detail: The brass edging is fixed with little pins and is protective as well as decorative.

The box features a Bramah lock. The Bramah lock was  secure and allowed for a small key. Both the key and the escutcheon are gilded.

The patented Brahma lock was used on high quality boxes at this time. 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. The lock plate is stamped Brahma and a crown.

The box retains its velvet and leather compartmentalized tray.

There is  a plate inlaid into the facing which reads FISHER MAKER 188 STRAND.

The Strand which connects the City to Trafalgar Square was one of the most fashionable  shopping streets in the 19th Century.

When the button is pressed the sprung drawer comes from the front of the box with a satisfying clunk.

The makers  name is also in gold embossed leather on  the document wallet in the lid of the box. This time the label reads facing which reads FISHER 188,   STRAND. MANUFACTURER

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The gold tooling is very fine.

The drawer is  made of mahogany with a rosewood facing and of dovetail construction. The cabinet makers marking out line is still visible. This particular version of the dovetail joint which is visible from the side but not the front is called "half blind".

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