Description:
Rare late 18th century inlaid maple fitted sewing box decorated with a hand colored print depicting Autumn and having original turned wooden tools and thread barrels. 

Origin: UK

Circa: 1790

Materials:

Size: It measures 8.3 inches wide  by  6.5 inches deep and it is  2.75 inches  high: 21.1 cm wide by 16.4 cm deep by 7 cm high.

Condition: Good original condition overall, working lock and key.

The inlay  is exceptionally fine. It is very much within the neoclassical tradition. The combination of print and inlaid decoration are associated with the pre mosaic work of Tunbridge Wells.

It is interesting to compare this box with http://hygra.com/sb/sbcherub.htm which is of a slightly later date but within the same tradition.

The inside is lined in its original pink paper and has compartments for thread and ribbons. 

There are two turned canisters which are in the shape of milk churns which have the upper part hollowed out to hold the thimble and thread waxer. 

The box is made of maple and of miter construction. The joins are strengthened by having  little slivers of wood let in across the joins. 

The decoration is subtle. there is a mitered purfeling all around the top. 

There is also a fine line of half herring-bone inlay let in. The same inlay is let into the top of the turned churn form containers.

The top is also inlaid with  

 The hand colored print on the top depicts Autumn with her scythe. 

The varnish is a little cloudy but is original. In our view it should not be restored.

 These two turned barrel containers are in the form of milk churns of the period. They are very delicately made and have a half herringbone inlay similar to that let into the sides of the box let in.

 The box also has a tape measure made of vegetable ivory ( a type of nut).