Description:
JB214: Antique top quality rosewood box edged and inlaid with brass, the top having an elaborate cartouche engraved with a armorial crest of a wingless Sphinx holding a rose dexter,   the box having a leather covered liftout tray, working Bramah lock with key, and separately locked drawer fitted for jewelry, and embossed leather document wallet in the lid. Circa 1820.

Origin: UK

Circa: Circa 1820

Materials:

Size:  30.5cm wide by 23 cm by 16.5 cm:  12 inches wide by  9 inches by  6.5 inches.

Condition: Good overall, some scuffing to the leather. working locks and keys. 

The box has rounded brass  to all eight edges which are affixed with  small brass pins ground flat with the surface. This form of brass is both structural and decorative. The rosewood has a beautiful rich colour and evocative figure contrasting between almost black and rich golden brown.

 Inside the box has a leather covered liftout tray.

 An unusual feature is the brass corner strengthening inlaid into the rosewood facings; there are protruding pins in the ones on the box which stick into holes in the ones on the lid when the box is closed.

The blind tooling on the document wallet is exquisite.

The Bramah lock gave a new level of security to boxes. The presence of a Bramah lock which were complicated to manufacture is almost a sure sign that the box with it was intended for the quality end of the market.  

See: http://www.hygra.com/locks/Bramah/ 

The drawer is of dovetail construction and fitted for jewelry.  The divisions are leather covered. the cream silk covering the paddings is original.

 Detail of the blind tooling on the leather.

 which retains its original lift out self-standing mirror. The mirroring has deteriorated. There is something almost magical about old mirrors which do not show your own face clearly. I always find myself wondering if I can see all the other faces that have looked in the mirror.

A

 the top has  an elaborate cartouche engraved with a armorial crest of a wingless Sphinx with a rose dexter.

The Sphinx in heraldry is generally male. This is clearly a female: a Gyno-Sphinx. 

The bestial part may be a leopard as it seems to have spots. 

If anyone knows who's crest this is please let me know.

  Even the underside is edged with rounded brass.