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Antique Rosewood Dressing/jewelry box by Joseph Mechi London circa 1875

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Reference: JB434

Description: 
JB434: Figured Rosewood dressing box with rounded edges and inlays of mother of pearl and metal working Bramah lock with key, the box made by Joseph Mechi, London, the interior still fitted with dressing accessories in cut glass and hallmarked (1875)  silver by  Frances Douglas and
John Howes. The box has a sprung lower drawer fitted for jewelry and a document wallet covered with ruched velvet framed with gold embossed leather in the lid. There is a lift out tray having further divisions and lids and a further compartment beneath for jewelry.   Circa 1875.

Origin: UK London  Joseph Mechi

Circa: 1875

Size: 30.3 cm wide by 22 cm by 16.6 cm:  12 inches wide by  8.7 inches by  6.5 inches.

Condition:

 

JB434: Figured Rosewood dressing box with rounded edges and inlays of mother of pearl and metal working Bramah lock with key, the box made by Joseph Mechi, London, the interior still fitted with dressing accessories in cut glass and hallmarked (1875)  silver by  Frances Douglas and John Howes. The box has a sprung lower drawer fitted for jewelry and a document wallet covered with ruched velvet framed with gold embossed leather in the lid. There is a lift out tray having further divisions and lids and a further compartment beneath for jewelry.   Circa 1875. Enlarge Picture

If more space is needed for jewelry the silver topped scent bottles and jars can be used separately from the box.

 

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The interior still fitted with dressing accessories in cut glass and hallmarked (1875)  silver by  Frances Douglas and John Howes. The box has a sprung lower drawer fitted for jewelry and a document wallet covered with ruched velvet framed with gold embossed leather in the lid. There is a lift out tray having further divisions and lids and a further compartment beneath for jewelry.  

The box is beautifully constructed in highly figured rosewood having solid rounded rosewood edgings.

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There is a document wallet covered with ruched velvet framed with gold embossed leather in the lid.

 

 

The Box is labeled:

"Made by Mechi,
4 Leadenhall St.
London."

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In 1833 John Joseph Mechi who also  lived at 4 Leadenhall St gave evidence that  helped to convict Henry Gordon at the Old Bailey of steeling cloth and clothing from the Mechi dwelling. 

Gordon, aged 25, was sentenced to transportation for life.

See: www.oldbaileyonline.org/   

In Notes and Queries Number 65, January 25, 1851 
read the ebook Notes and Queries, Number 65, January 25, 1851:

"* * * * * WHERE TO BUY A DRESSING CASE. In no article perhaps is caution more necessary than in the purchase of a Dressing Case, for in none are the meretricious arts of the unprincipled manufacturer more frequently displayed. MECHI, 4. LEADENHALL STREET, near Gracechurch Street, has long enjoyed the reputation of producing a Dressing Case in the most finished and faultless manner. Those who purchase of him will be sure of having thoroughly-seasoned and well-prepared wood or leather, with the fittings of first-rate quality. The prices range from 1l. to 100l. Thus the man of fortune and he of moderate means may alike be suited, while the traveller will find the Mechian Dressing Case especially adapted to his necessities.--4. LEADENHALL STREET. * * * * *

John Joseph Mechi's brief biography is given at:
www.london-city-history.org.uk/biography.htm  

"Mechi, John Joseph (1802-1880)

"businessman, agriculturist and City activist was born in London on 22 May 1802. His father, Giacomo, was from Bologna and held a position in the Court of George 111. Royal connections were maintained as John claimed an early acquaintance with Queen Charlotte and a fishing companion in the Duke of Sussex. As a youth of 16 he was placed as a clerk in a mercantile house in Walbrook, concerned with Newfoundland trade. He remained here for ten years until, having saved enough money, he opened his own shop in Leadenhall Street. Here, he designed the ‘Magic Razor Strop’, making enough money from the business in the 1830s to move to larger premises but which thereafter suffered when beards became fashionable. Despite this setback and not for the first time, Mechi reinvented himself. This time, from 1859 to 1869, he went into partnership with Charles Bazan (Frederick Keats of Fortnum & Mason’s was a colleague) marketing a patent in shop window lamps at 112 Regent Street.

"By this time he had began to construct a model farm at Tiptree Heath in Essex. This was the subject of extensive publications, including the best seller How to Farm Profitably (1857). The emphasis was on the use of deep drainage and steam power.

"Surprisingly, perhaps, Mechi found time to marry twice: first in 1823 to Fanny Frost, and second to Charlotte Ward in 1846. The combined product of both unions was several daughters and one son. He also gave his time to a number of other causes. He was member of the Council of the Society of Arts, Juror in the Department of Arts and Science at the 1851 General Exhibition and at the Industrial Exhibition in Paris in 1855, as well as founder of the Royal Agricultural Benefit Institution.

"Within the City of London he was appointed as a Sheriff in 1856 and Alderman in the ward of Lime Street in 1858. His luck run out in 1866, with the failure of the Unity Joint Stock Bank, and a hapless connection with the General Life Assurance Office eventually forced the liquidation of his assets. He resigned his Aldermanic gown and after several bad seasons on the farm, developed diabetes. He died at Tiptree Hall on 26 December 1880 and was buried at the local church on the first day of the New Year."

 

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The Box is labeled:

"Made by Mechi,
4 Leadenhall St.
London."

J.J. Mechi was at 130 Leadenhall St according to Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660-1840 (source Directories)

We have handled several boxes by Mechi and have recorded these in Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society, 1700--1880 
Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly,
ISBN: 076431688

"Item 1. Small gentleman's dressing box veneered in coromandel. Very fine quality. Interior beautifully lined in blue velvet and leather. Silver tops dated 1851, engraved with flowers and central visor with feathers. Central plaque on top of the box, with engraved visor encircled by a belt, containing the motto Nihil Sine Deo.

"Item 2. Lady's dressing box veneered in rosewood, with stylized floral inlay in mother of pearl. This is unusual, as most dressing boxes feature brass decoration. Sunk in side handles in brass. The interior lined in green leather and bright green silk. The internal mirror is edged in rosewood and can be removed from the lid and stand independently. Silver tops dating from the 1840s. Side jewelry drawer with separate lock. Very good subtle quality.

"Item 3. Sewing box veneered in rosewood. Mother of pearl escutcheon and fine pewter inlay. Tray inside lined with paper with a leafy gold pattern. Tops covered in soft blue taffeta silk. The inside of the lid is lined with an "envelope" covered in blue taffeta and opening with a silver catch. Very fine work. Regency period."

see:    http://www.hygra.com/uk/wb2/wb135/ 

http://www.hygra.com/uk/sb/SB119/ 

 

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There is a lift out tray having further divisions and lids and a further compartment beneath for jewelry. The red silk lining is original. 

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The lock plate is stamped Bramah Patent and with two crowns. 

For  further information on Bramah  locks follow the link:  Bramah 

The lock is working and has a key.

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Silver Marks and meanings

Enlarge Picture    FD  Frances Douglas 
   (registered Jul 1843)
Enlarge Picture  Monarch's mark: Victoria.
Enlarge Picture   lion passant:  sterling silver
Enlarge Picture     "U" :  date letter for 1875
Enlarge Picture    Leopard's head : London

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Enlarge Picture    JH:    John Howes  
  (registered Jul 1844)

The Monarchs mark, Line Passant for sterling silver, the Gothic  "U" date letter for 1875, and the Leopard's head mark for London, are the same.

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 The silver tops of the scent bottles have the "JH" for John Howes.

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 Under the silver screw caps the cut crystal scent bottles have glass stoppers.. One of the collars has been broken. 

 

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 Some of the silver is beautifully engraved with a stylized floral patern. 

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 The sprung lower drawer has three divisions and retains its original red silk lining.

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The lock escutcheon is integral with the Bramah lock.  This is further embellished with brass and abalone depicting a wreath.

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Detail of the decorative inlay in brass, mother of pearl and abalone. 

 

All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2009 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly. If you require any further information on permitted use, or a licence to republish any material, email us at copyright@hygra.com