Description:
JB 514: Antique figured rosewood box with rounded edges, inlaid to the top and front with fine inlays of mother of pearl and white metal depicting stylized curved foliage, the box having a liftout tray, a separately locked lidded drawer fitted for jewelry, and in the lid a document wallet with gold tooling and velvet. The box is labeled by Thomas Woolfield, Manufacturer, No. 71 & 72, CHURCH STREET LIVERPOOL. Inside the box retains its original embossed leather silk and velvet linings. New detachable velvet pads have been made for the compartmentalized lift out tray. Circa 1835

Origin:

Circa:

Size: 37 cm wide by 24.7 cm by 18.2 cm:  14.5 inches wide by  9.7 inches by  7.2 inches.

Condition: Good overall, working lock with key: see images.

Inside the box retains its original embossed leather silk and velvet linings. New detachable velvet pads have been made for the compartmentalized lift out tray. 

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There is a document wallet in the lid.

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The box is labeled: THOMAS WOOLFIELD

DESK & DRESSING CASE
MNUFACTURE
No. 71 & 72, CHURCH STREET
LIVERPOOL.

The label is numbered 107/5.

Dictionary of English Furnature Makers:
"Woolfield, Thomas & John,  69 Church St, Liverpool manufacturers of portable desks etc 1827-1828) The business commenced in October 1827 and manufactured '  Ladies and Gentleman's Portable Desks, Dressing Cases, Work Boxes, Bagatelle and Backgammon Boards, Tea Chests &c.' In July 1828 they claimed to have a stock of 3-400 writing desks and dressing cases 'in rosewood, Mahogany, Leather &c. price from 6-18 guineas each.
In addition they stocked French and English Jewellery, chimney ornaments, bronzes, ivory chessmen, tortoiseshell combs brushes, perfumes, traveling trunks and bags,. They advertised thir business as a 'Fancy Bazarr'. Some of the stock was obtained from London and in May 1828 Thomas Woolfield announced  his intention of going there and also to Paris."

Although described on the label as a "manufacturer" Woolfield, advertises himself as "selecting....such articles of taste and novelty.."

Thomas Woolfield evolved into W.B. Promoli.

I found the advertisement on the right in a book published by the London and Birmingham Railway Company  in 1839.

"All kinds of Instruments for fitting up Work Boxes and Dressing Cases. Visitors and Strangers in Liverpool, and the Public in general, are respectfully invited to visit this unique Establishment, whether as purchasers or parties in search of amusement ; the whole of the stock (certainly one of the largest and most varied in England) being conveniently arranged for their inspection, and the price plainly marked on each article, from which no deductions are made, nor credit given. Every article warranted perfect, and the quality fairly and honourably stated; the object being to establish a Concern where the public may purchase with such confidence and economy, as to insure their future favour and support. W. B. Promoli begs to assure the Public, that the great and unprecedented patronage bestowed upon his Predecessor, Thomas Woolfield, will incite him to persevere in selecting, both from Loudon and the Continent, such articles of taste and novelty as are likely to be pleasing to an extensive connexion, and to maintain an Establishment in Liverpool decidedly superior to any other single concern in London or the Empire, the choice of goods being greater, their quality the best, and the prices extremely moderate. Fixed Cash Prices. — No Abatement nor Credit given."

http://libsysdigi.library.illinois.edu/oca/Books2008-11/
drakesroadbookof00drak/drakesroadbookof00drak.pdf 

 

 The document wallet is lined with blue silk.

The jewelry drawer retains its original ivory silk coverings and  tooled leather. There are places for rings, earrings and in the center a watch. The drawer is separately locked and has hinged doors.

The gold and blind tooling depicting the anthemion motifs is exquisite and well preserved. 

Thomas Hope in his Household Furniture 1807 gives examples of such classical ornaments as the palmette, the anthemion (honeysuckle), acanthus and star motifs. The differences between the palmette and anthemion motifs, especially when abstracted are not always easy to define. A general rule of thumb is that the palmette usually branches outwards, while the anthemion curls inwards, as here.
 The silver surround of one of the mother of pearl pulls.

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

The box is inlaid to the top and front with fine inlays of mother of pearl and white metal depicting stylized curved foliage.

 

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index |

Detail of the mother of pearl inlay. Under magnification it is possible to see small marks indicating that the mother of pearl inlay has been cut with a fine piercing saw. This type of inlay is time consuming work.  

 The box has a working lock and key. The lock plate is stamped patent with a crown. The "patent" is a lever mechanism.

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 |Request current  list of available Jewelry boxes.

Detail: there is blind tooling to the document wallet in the lid.

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index

|Request current  list of available Jewelry boxes.

Please click on images to enlarge |  slide show  | thumbnail index  

|Request current  list of available Jewelry boxes.