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Description:
Ref: 725JB http://hygra.com/box/725JB/index.htm 
A dressing box in kingwood with silver fittings. This box displays the understated elegance of the period. It is of impeccable quality without a hint of ostentation. There is a drawer at the front fitted for holding jewellery with a separate lock. It bears the label of Halstaff & Hannaford Manufacturers, 228, Regent Street, London   Silver with makers mark of John Douglas  1820.

The box is veneered in kingwood. Kingwood yields very narrow timber, so the large surfaces are made of two or three strips. These are so well matched with reference to the grain that a feature is made of the figure of the wood, resulting in lively striations. The edges are strengthened with square brass, which gives a hint of austere dignity. The escutcheons and central plaque are of elongated shapes with restrained curved outlines.

Origin: UK;  Circa: 1820 ; Materials: Kingwood on a mahogany structure.

Size: 30.3cm wide by 22.6cm by 13.8cm:   11.9 inches wide by 8.9  inches by 5.4  inches.

Condition: good overall; working locks and keys; see images

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The interior. The design of the silver is characteristic of the earlier fashion for dressing boxes. The smaller pieces have plain tops and the larger pieces are decorated in pierced designs. Piercing could only be done when the silver was of a certain gage so it could withstand the treatment without bending.
The back velvet. Slight wear on some of the folds when closely examined.

The box is labeled  on the document wallet:

"HALSTAFF & HANNAFORD
Manufacturers
228 Regent St. London.

"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.

William Halstaff started his box manufactory in 1825 and at that time traded from Margaret Street. He moved to  228 Regent Street in 1838.  The  partnership with Hannaford  started 4years later.

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

Other examples of a  boxes with a Halstaff label are: http://hygra.com/dressing/index.html

http://hygra.com/uk/sb/SB432/index.htm#pic01 

http://hygra.com/uk/n11/JB624/index.htm 

Three quarter view. The back lid panel is covered in the original blue velvet , which shows a hint of wear.

That included servants reports given to confidents.

Locking it would show distrust of those around!

The drawer for personal jewelry has a separate key, so that the box could be displayed and give some security to the personal drawer below.

The bottles are for perfume! The jars are for the necessary ungents. the long box at the front was for the toothbrush. The piercing helped it to ventilate its moisture if the box was open.

The alternative opening for the drawer at this time was a pin, usually brass 

which was driven through the front side of the box. 

the lid:. The back panel is covered in the original blue velvet , which shows a hint of wear matching the bottles which have pressed against it.

The gilded catch at the top releases it.

 

The back flap opens to reveal an easel back table mirror.

The mirror can be pulled out by its stand which is made from straight grained wood and perfectly crafted.

 

The mirror is old; some of the mirroring is detached.. It shows its age. Fortunately the glass has not been changed since.

The bottles out of the box.

Were all of the bottles for perfume! Or more likely, some were used for whatever your tipple was: alcohol, laudanum, or latest cure-all.

I can see the selection of the bottle of use being tricky.

The box at the front with the pierced lid is for the toothbrush.  

Detail of bottles. The plain ones are of a pleasing sloping form and the small round jars are “ribbed”.

 The shoulders of the bottles have faceted cuts. the smaller round a fluted cut.

Each cut is made by hand with the glass/crystal brought to a cutting wheel. The whole is then polished.

The glass is blown in a   pre-heated mold.

In 1820 John Douglas gave evidence at the Old Bailey which helped to convict Thomas Morley. It seems that Morley robbed Douglas's servant Ebenezer Start of nine silver castor-tops  (valued at £3). Start was returning with the silver tops from Goldsmith's Hall where he had taken them to be stamped. see Old Bailey. See below:

The Douglass were a silversmith dynasty.

The other marks are 

A dressing box with Archibald's mark is at:

Detail of bottles showing the glass stopper and the silver top which screws onto the collar stopping the stopper from coming out.

The bottom of the round jar has a star cut. With the fluted cut to the side the little box becomes a jewel!

The design is in the neoclassical tradition. 

It is of acanthus leaves in a symmetrical, controlled and stylised pattern. The outlines are sharp giving a clear definition to the composition. The leaves are also engraved/chased  hinting at natural vitality. 

This type of time consuming elegant decoration was soon abandoned and replaced by non-pierced engraved or repousse designs, often in thinner silver.

This type of pierced chased work was only produced for a short time circa 1820.

Initials in the centre of the silver top.

It seems to be an M and a J! The quality of the engraving is great!! 

Silver marks on the long silver tops.

ID is the mark of John Douglas. The "e" indicates that the silver was hall marked in 1820.

The central tray is fitted with grooming tools with mother of pearl handles.

Detail of the drawer which is covered in the original velvet. The divisions are covered in fine leather.

Detail of leather covered corners  and lids on either side of the central long jar.

The box has skeletal brass carrying handles which fold flush when  not in use. They are secured to the box with steel screws which are ground to the surface.  

A

  The top is made with four pieces of wood. 

In 1820 John Douglas, the Silversmith,  gave evidence at the Old Bailey which helped to convict Thomas Morley. It seems that Morley robbed Douglas's servant Ebenezer Start of nine silver castor-tops  (valued at £3). Start was returning with the silver tops from Goldsmith's Hall where he had taken them to be stamped. see Old Bailey.