SB500: Antique opulent fully fitted sewing box in ebony profusely inlaid with tortoiseshell, engraved brass, mother of pearl and abalone. The inside has  a silk covered lift out tray retaining a set of sewing tools  including turned and carved mother of pearl spools with matching tape measure and needle cleaner. A central tray has steel tools with tortoiseshell handles. Circa 1840.

The pattern of the framing design is arranged symmetrically, but the rounded sections and the undulating leafy motifs, endow it with a voluptuousness which lifts it out of the neoclassical austerity.

The centre is lighter, with fine rounded lines spreading into the ebony. It is not completely symmetrical, but has another drooping fine inlay to the front, a concession to naturalism. This pattern is within the genre of 18th century Boulle work and hints at the designs of Jean Berain.