Description:
SB432: Important, rare,  first period sadeli mosaic  fully fitted combined sewing  and writing box, retaining original turned ivory sewing tools.  The box has a  retailers label:HALSTAFF AND HANNAFORD but would have been made in Bombay India circa 1800.  It is probable that the retailer/ London maker arraigned for the sewing fittings in the central tray. It was not unusual for boxes to be adjusted for the client. Circa 1800.

Origin: India Bombay

Circa: 1800

Materials: see description.

Size:  43 cm wide by 28 cm by 13 cm:  16.9  inches wide by   11 inches by   5.1 inches.

Condition: Very good over all.

The box is covered in Sadeli mosiac. 

The ancient art of Sadeli Mosaic is said to have been introduced from Shiraz in Persia via Sind to Bombay, a long time before the Anglo Indian boxes were made. It was a technique, which required a high degree of skill and patience. It was executed very lavishly, in that the frequent cuts wasted a great amount of the precious materials used. The workmanship was however more than commensurable to the value of the materials.

This type of work was highly valued in England. Queen Charlotte (1744-1818) had three sadeli boxes in her colection.

See: http://www.hygra.com/anglo.html#3 

Detail: The mosaic work on this box is exquisite and precise. The box is edged with  solid ivory which has been rounded. Each surface is covered with  sadeli mosaic.

 

The composition  is complex. Each panel is laid out to take full advantage of the contrasting colors and textures of the exotic and valuable materials. 

Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society, 1700--1880 
Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, ISBN: 0764316885

"Contemporary opinions of Bombay work, attest to the appreciation in which it was held. A letter to Lord Clive from G. Taswell dated 1802 exemplifies the respect shown for sadeli work. He writes: "...Mosaic inlaid lady's workboxes... as being of peculiar workmanship that is greatly esteemed here and to be procured from one man, a Persee, which renders them very scarce..." It is obvious that at least during the early stages of this work there was no aesthetic interference. The boxes made were such as could be used by Europeans, that is, sewing boxes, writing boxes, tea caddies, and card boxes, but the integrity of the decoration remained intact. "

 The inside the upper part of the box has been to accommodate sewing tools. There are finely turned and carved thread barrels an ivory thimble. lidded compartments.

The  design pattern is built on a six pointed star/ hexagon. The proportion of each element is defined by the initial central triangle. 

In the center there is an ebony equilateral triangle with a single silver dot wrapped in contrasting silver. If you look closely you can see the join at one of the triangle apexes.

There is added interest in that the triangles are alternately pointing up and down. The angel is not always precise. But when the next level, the hexagon with pewter and green colored ivory is formed the pattern is dimensionally very accurate. 

This is no mean task. The wood and ivory elements have to be first sawed to size then scraped to be more precise. There is an extraordinary amount of waste ending up as sawdust. A valuable fine  black pigment, ivory-black,  was made with a charcoal made from  the ivory sawdust.  

 On each side of the triangle there is a rosewood triangle These in turn are surrounded by triangles of alternating green-stained ivory and pewter. This creates a hexagon. the  the There are then further triangles of rosewood. 

The accuracy  and evenness of the layout is mind defying.

Five sizes of element  in five materials are used.

There is a velvet lined liftout tray in the center.

It contains a scent bottle, tweezers, two pairs of scissors, bodkin, needle case, and writing tools including a pencil by Morden &Co.

It is probable that the retailer/ London maker arraigned for the sewing fittings in the central tray. It was not unusual for boxes to be adjusted for the client.

"Halstaff, Manufacturers,  228 Regent Street. Late of Margaret St."

HALSTAFF AND HANNAFORD: Manufacturers 228 Regent St . Another firm straddling the time between the Regency and the time of Victoria , making exceptional quality glamorous boxes. Emphasis on strengthening with brass corners, brass surrounds.

See: pages  255, 294 Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society, 1700--1880 
Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, ISBN: 0764316885.

Another example of a later box with a Halstaff label is: http://hygra.com/dressing/index.html 

Detail: the box retains two inkwells

A

 The ivory thread barrels have a central spindle and a screw top. The thread remains clean by being pulled from the hole in the side.  

 The facings are inlaid with a fine mosaic made from ivory and ebony.

Silvered carrying handles to the side