Description:
JB304: A mid Victorian rosewood box inlaid with mother of pearl, abalone, and metal, depicting flowers, having a fitted liftout  tray  with supplementary lids covered in green and cream silk. In the lid there is a document wallet. circa 1870

Origin: UK.

Circa: 1870.

Size: 29.6 cm wide by 21.5 cm by 12.5 cm: 11.7 inches wide by 8.5 inches by  12.5 inches.

Condition: Very good original condition, working lock and key. See images.

Veneered in thick rosewood and inlaid in brass and shell, this box is a good example of the way brass was used in the mid Victorian period. The pieces are cut in swirling delicate shapes and engraved to give further definition to the design. The metal is used not to convey strength or to suggest ancient ornament, but as a material to form pretty and aesthetically accessible ornaments. This type of work was influenced by French usage of brass and shell.

Detail of the inlay in the center of the lid, which uses the contrasting sheens and reflections of mother of pearl, abalone shell and brass to depict a stylized foliate form. 

In the lid there is a document wallet. circa 1870. The center panel of cream colored silk radiating from a turned and carved mother of pearl button is framed by contrasting green silk. the wallet is lined with lemon colored paper.

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The box is fitted liftout  tray  with supplementary lids covered in green and cream silk.

Detail of the escutcheon.