www.hygra.com
 ANTIQUE BOXES
at the Sign of the Hygra
2 Middleton Road
London E8 4BL
Tel: 00 44 (0)20 7 254 7074
email: boxes@hygra.com

Antique Boxes in English Society
1760 -1900
by ANTIGONE
THUMBNAIL INDEX

THUMBNAIL INDEX


Home
e-mail
Contents
Back
Thumbs

News | Buying |  Contact us |  Online History of boxes | The Schiffer Book | Advanced Search

Sewing Box History  | Visual Index of Sewing Boxes | Request Current list of sewing boxes with prices:
 Click on Thumbnail Picture to find out more information about the sewing box. The link should bring you to the relevant part of the Online History.   Request current  list of available sewing boxes with prices.

Bookmark and Share  | Index of Tea Caddies | Writing boxes  |  Jewellery boxes | Visual Index of Sewing Boxes |

 Sewing boxes:  a visual index with links to images of delight, Sewing boxes, the place of privacy for the woman in the 18th century and 19th century.

Sewing Boxes
Antique flame mahogany sewing box with lift-out compartmentalized tray fitted with silk winders and further spaces for thread reels. The tray is made from straight grained pine. The inside of the lid is lined with blue silk. There are brass escutcheons to the top and front. Circa 1830. Antique inlaid figured walnut box with domed top opening to a ruched satin lined lid and a compartmentalized lift-out tray fitted for sewing with supplementary lids Circa 1870. Ref: 636SB: Antique mid Victorian sewing box veneered with figured walnut accented with brass white metal and mother of pearl and opening to a lift -out tray retaining its original silver paper covering and supplementary silk covered lids Circa 1860. Enlarge Picture Antique fully fitted sewing box in almost black coromandel ebony profusely inlaid to the top and front with engraved mother of pearl, abalone, green parkesine, and brass. Inside there is the lift-out tray with its original purple velvet coverings and supplementary lids. Inside the lid is lined with rushed cream coloured silk framed with gold embossed purple silk velvet framing. There is a document wallet behind. The box has mother of pearl handled sewing tools and turned and carved mother of pearl spools. Parkeseine was the invention of Alexander Parks of Birmingham and was manufactured in his factory in Hackney. It is generally accepted as being the first plastic and was the predecessor of the American invention of celluloid which was similar but about 10 years later. Request Current list of sewing boxes with prices
Tea Caddies

-

Writing boxes 

  

SB487: Antique figured rosewood sewing box the top panel and base framed by gadrooning, inlaid with mother of pearl to the top and front having turned rosewood drop-ring handles and standing on turned bun feet. Inside the lid is lined with cream silk and paper. Inside the lid there is a mirror framed by gold embossed leather with a document wallet behind The box has a liftout tray with supplementary lids covered in silk. Circa 1830. Enlarge Picture

SB498: An early 19th Century fully fitted Chinese export lacquer combined sewing and writing box of rectangular form opening to a fully fitted sewing tray with turned and carved ivory tools and having a drawer fitted for writing. Circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

SB 493: A rare Georgian sewing box of rectangular form edged with maple the top having a hand colored print depicting cherubs and framed with mitered purfling having a lift-out tray still retaining turned Tunbridge ware whitewood sewing tools. Circa 1800. Enlarge Picture

SB492: An impressive sewing box veneered in saw cut highly figured coromandel, fitted with mother of pearl sewing tools. Enlarge Picture

  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. Enlarge Picture Request Current list of sewing boxes with prices
Ref: 637SB: Fitted figured rosewood sewing box with lift-out tray. The box is in very good original condition. There is a document wallet in the lid. The front of the document wallet is covered with ruched satin silk and framed by wine colored silk with gilded embossing. The tray retains its original supplementary lids with places designed to hold sewing tools. Circa 1850. Enlarge Picture Delightful Regency fitted sewing box decorated with erudite Chinoiserie images opening to a compartmentalized lift out tray . The artist who painted the box seems to have an understanding of the symbolism and style of Chinese Export lacquer. On the convex sides are depictions of feathery willows. The raised painting on the top depicts figures in a garden. The box has embossed gilded pressed brass drop ring handles and ball feet. These are typical of the Regency , Circa 1815. Enlarge Picture SB524: Rosewood and brass inlaid sewing box in high Regency style circa 1815. A box veneered in beautifully figured rosewood and inlaid with brass. The design of the inlay is of highly stylized flora, suggesting neoclassical designs hinting at trefoil motifs. The juxtaposition of dark wood with bold brass inlay was popular in the early part of the 19th century. The wood and the bright brass were mutually enhancing. The box retains its original fully fitted tray covered in yellow paper with gold embossed supplementary lids. There is a set of eight turned and carved vegetable ivory spools. Enlarge Picture

 

 SB525: A rare early Regency shaped fully fitted brass inlaid figured rosewood sewing box retaining its carved and turned ivory spools and other sewing tools. The form is typical of the early Regency: perfectly proportioned drawing its inspiration from ancient architectural structures. It has turned gadrooning drop ring handles and feet. The box retains its original fully fitted tray covered in yellow paper with gold embossed supplementary lids. Circa 1815. Enlarge Picture SB487: Antique figured rosewood sewing box the top panel and base framed by gadrooning, inlaid with mother of pearl to the top and front having turned rosewood drop-ring handles and standing on turned bun feet. Inside the lid is lined with cream silk and paper. Inside the lid there is a mirror framed by gold embossed leather with a document wallet behind The box has a liftout tray with supplementary lids covered in silk. Circa 1830. Enlarge Picture
- A dramatic William IV rosewood compendium table cabinet of lofty architectural form having turned rosewood feet and handles. It is inlaid with mother of pearl and opens both to the top and the and the front and has two drawers one with a liftout tray fitted for jewelry; the upper part is also fitted for jewelry, circa 1835 Enlarge Picture SB421: Anglo Indian basket form box veneered with ebony and inlaid with Sadeli mosaic having an ebony handle and standing on turned ebony feet the inside lined with sandalwood. circa 1840. Enlarge Picture SB536: A sandalwood basket veneered in horn and ivory. Although such baskets were a popular Vizagapatam design, this one is very unusual in that it combines both solid ivory panels incised and lac filled in traditional plant motifs and fretted ivory work. Furthermore, the central cartouches are engraved with representations of Indian deities and not floral designs which was the normal decoration on such baskets. It stands on lion paw feet. The handle is decorated with scrolling flowers in characteristic fashion. Circa 1870. Enlarge Picture More details of box Penwork table cabinet with curved Regency shape. The penwork depicts exquisite chinoiserie scenes of figures in the fantastical gardens of Cathay. The compartmentalized interior was fitted for jewelry in the 19th Century. The hinged doors open to four drawers with turned bone handles. The upper part was originally fitted for sewing. The divisions retain their original pink lining paper. The domed top and flared skirted base are unusual. Enlarge Picture
SB488: A sewing box of impressive form, decoration and workmanship, the interior lined with red silk and fully fitted with mother of pearl sewing tools, Circa 1825. Enlarge Picture

 

SB474: A very fine Chinese export lacquer sewing box of complex curved octagonal form, with fine decoration of oriental scenes framed within cartouches standing on gilded bat feet. The background is filled with diaper designs of stylized flora. Inside there is a lift out tray with supplementary lids and sewing tools made of turned and carved ivory. The box has gilded side handles and hinges. Circa 1835. Enlarge Picture SB452: Rosewood veneered box with stylized brass and shell decoration circa 1870. This is an unusual box which combines a small writing box with a sewing tray. The engraved brass, mother-of-pearl and abalone decoration is fluid but stylized, combining the formality of neoclassicism with the naturalism of the Victorian era. The tray and the ‘envelope’ compartment are original and hardly worn. The framing on the ruched surface is gold embossed. Working lock and key. Enlarge Picture SB453: Satinwood and rosewood box veneered in stripes circa 1840. This is a fully fitted sewing box which oozes quiet elegance. The stripes emphasise the contrasting colours and varied figures of the two special timbers which cover the top and front. The box is edged in rounded rosewood giving the form a neat and defining line. The tray is edged in ebony, an unusual detail which contributes both to beauty and resistance to wear. The blue silk is original and so is the ‘envelope’ under the lid. There is a set of seven hand made mother of pearl spools with metal shafts. This form of spool became fashionable in the 1830s when mercerised thread became increasingly more available. The tray also contains other mother of pearl and steel sewing tools. Working lock and key. Enlarge Picture SB454: Mahogany and brass bound sewing box circa 1820. This is a most unusual early sewing box, both strong and robust. The high quality of the structure suggests that it was made to withstand travel as well as sit in elegant drawing rooms. The mahogany is edged in squared brass all around and bears flat-folding side handles. The original interior is lined in red textured leather. The tray is in keeping with the exterior and is structured for strength. The ‘envelope’ is most unusual and opens with a silver catch. Some bending on bottom brass suggesting that the box did travel! Working Bramah lock and key. Enlarge Picture
SB120: A fully fitted sewing box veneered in thick striated coromandel and inlaid in brass and shell, both mother of pearl and abalone. Inside there is the original fitted liftout tray lined with silk and velvet, with a set (6) of carved and turned mother of pearl daisy pattern spools designed for the new thread which now came on wooden reels. The tray also has supplementary lids with carved mother of pearl pulls. The box also has period sewing tools including penknife button hook, and tweezers, and bodkin with mother of pearl handles. The steel scissors is designed for cutting button holes. There is a document wallet in the lid. Circa 1870. Enlarge Picture SB121: A rare fully fitted tortoiseshell sewing box of rectangular form and shaped top by Thos' Lund of Cornhill, having ivory facings, silvered hinges and lock, mother of pearl escutcheon and name plate engraved "Mrs. Brown". Inside there is a liftout tray with green and blue silk coverings and supplementary lids containing turned and carved mother of pearl spools (8) and other sewing tools. The inside the lid is covered in ruched blue silk framed with a smooth silk border and contains a document wallet in the lid. Circa 1820. Enlarge Picture SB122: A rosewood veneered box, inlaid with mother of pearl and white metal in a stylized pattern, which forms a fine foliated design in reverse having a lift out tray, still covered with its original printed pink paper with divisions for sewing. The workmanship is of high standard; for example, the box is edged with a rounded piece of wood which finishes it elegantly and also protects it. Circa 1835 Enlarge Picture
Request current  list of available sewing boxes.

William IV fully fitted rosewood table cabinet of architectural form Circa 1835.

Rare Painted Sycamore Antique Sewing box, circa 1815.

Chinese Export Lacquer Sewing Box with Ivory tools Circa 1820

SB123: Antique figured rosewood box with dramatic contrasting mother of pearl inlay depicting native plants, the box opening to a fitted inside with liftout tray with divisions for sewing. The tray is covered in its original 19th C paper and has supplementary lids covered in blue silk. The box has a rounded filet of solid rosewood let into the edges. All the veneers at this period are saw cut and about 1mm thick. Circa 1835. Enlarge Picture Request Current list of sewing boxes with prices

Chinese Export Lacquer Sewing Box decorated with scenes of oriental life circa 1850.

SB124: Victorian figured coromandel sewing box with mother of pearl cartouche and escutcheon, the inside with fitted liftout tray with silk covered supplementary lids, Circa 1860. Enlarge Picture

SB125: Antique figured rosewood sewing box the top panel framed inlaid with mother of pearl to the top and front having turned rosewood drop-ring handles and standing on turned bun feet. Inside the lid is lined with contrasting blue and cream silk and has a document wallet behind. The box has a liftout tray with supplementary lids covered in silk. Circa 1830. Enlarge Picture

Rare Regency Rosewood and Penwork Box Circa 1810  

 SB126: Antique flame mahogany sewing box with tapered sides and pyramided top having turned mahogany drop handles and standing on turned bun feet. Inside the lid is lined with ruched blue silk framed with gold embossed leather. There is a document wallet behind. The box has a fitted liftout tray covered in the original blue paper and has silk covered supplementary covers circa 1815. Enlarge Picture

SB127: A rosewood veneered box of rectangular form, inlaid with mother of pearl and white metal in a stylized pattern, which forms a fine foliated design in reverse, the box having a lift out tray, still covered with its original blue paper with divisions for sewing. Circa 1830. Enlarge Picture

Rare late 18th century inlaid maple fitted sewing box decorated with a hand colored print depicting Autumn Circa 1790.

Rare important early 18th Century Venetian box with fielded panels decorated with lacca povera depicting Chinoiserie fantasies, framed with gilt-wood; the inside of the box has a later (early 19th century English) tray, covered in green silk fitted for sewing, circa 1730 Enlarge Picture

Early 19th C box veneered with figured rosewood inlayed with mother of pearl and white metal and having an original tray fitted for sewing. circa 1835 Enlarge Picture

 Antique Mahogany Sewing Box circa 1800 Enlarge Picture

JB224: figured rosewood box with tapering tapering sides and pyramid top, brass escutcheon and central top plate standing on brass ball feet. The box has its original yellow interior and liftout tray. There is a document wallet in the lid with embossed leather framing and ruched yellow silk. Circa 1810. Enlarge Picture

Victorian walnut veneered box inlaid in strips of geometric marquetry circa 1880 Enlarge Picture

630JB: A monumental coromandel ebony compendium table cabinet of architectural form having turned and carved feet and handles. It is profusely inlaid to the top and front with mother of pearl. Enlarge Picture

An unusual painted Regency box with curved and tapered sides and pyramided top, having replacement side handles and and opening to two replacement velvet covered lift out trays making the box suitable for jewelry or sewing. The wood is sycamore and the painting depicting floral motifs is finely executed. A wonderful period piece. Circa 1810. Enlarge Picture

 Hygra JB205 Antique box veneered all over with parquetry executed in exotic native and imported hardwoods including rosewood, maple, satinwood, oak, ash and fruitwoods and depicting geometric motifs, the inside relined with hand made marbled paper and having a liftout velvet covered replacement tray circa 1800. Enlarge Picture Request Current list of sewing boxes with prices
A Regency box with tapering sides and domed top veneered with beautifully figured mahogany inlaid with boxwood in a restrained classical pattern, and framed with an elaborate purfling of boxwood and ebony with a crossbanding of kingwood, and edged with ebony, having gilded brass lion drop side handles and standing on turned mahogany bun feet. Inside the box has been been relined with hand made marbled paper and grey velvet. It has a replacement liftout tray which makes it suitable for jewelry and sewing circa 1810. Enlarge Picture Victorian fully fitted coromandel sewing box of architectural shape inlaid with mother of pearl abalone and metal, with turned handles and feet. circa 1845 Enlarge Picture A late 18th C box veneered with beautifully faded book-matched flame mahogany edged with contrasting boxwood and having a replacement liftout tray which is lined with velvet making the box suitable for jewelry. Enlarge Picture A Regency kingwood veneered box of pure neoclassical form. The gilded applied escutcheons and handle are influenced by French work. Inside the box is lined with new velvet pads which are not glued so as to preserve the original red paper lining. circa 1810 Enlarge Picture JB191: Burr chestnut veneered box with gilded brass mounts and liftout tray. circa 1860 Enlarge Picture
Antique Fitted Sewing Box in Coromandel Inlaid with Mother of Pearl circa 1845. An artist painted Papier mâchè sewing box having its original fully fitted tray with Dieppe turned and carved spools and sewing tools Circa 1820. A painted Fully fitted Papier mâchè Sewing box Circa 1835. Enlarge Picture An Exquisite yellow paper and gilt foil miniature fitted sewing box. Circa 1800. Enlarge Picture Rare Georgian sewing box with cherub print and turned Tunbridge ware sewing tools Circa 1800.  
An Anglo Indian Vizagapatam radiating black buffalo horn of dramatic curved shape Circa 1820 -45  Anglo Indian, Vizagapatam Porcupine Quill Horn and Ivory Basket-form box Circa 1850. quillbasket A early nineteenth century Tunbridge ware shaped Rosewood box with tray, circa 1815. Tunbridge ware box in bird’s eye maple with parquetry in native and exotic woods, circa 1835. wb122: A rare Regency rosewood metamorphic writing/sewing box with brass edging and inlay, opening up to form a chest of drawers above a writing slope complete with inkwells and sewing tools. More details of box Request Current list of sewing boxes with prices
Fitted Chinese Export Lacquer Sewing Box decorated with Tea Cultivation Scenes, circa 1830. Antique Fitted Sewing Box in Rosewood inlaid with Mother of Pearl Circa 1830. Antique Sewing Box in rosewood and bird's eye maple, circa 1830 Antique Rosewood Sewing box, circa 1850. Regency Fully Fitted Sewing box with ivory tools circa 1820 by Wm Dobson London.
Very Fine Early 19th C. Anglo Indian Ivory and Sadeli Mosaic Sewing Box. Circa 1820 A Rosewood and Mother of Pearl Sewing Box. Circa 1835 Antique Papier Mâchè Fully Fitted Sewing box, circa 1840.

Concave Shaped Box standing on Ball Feet with Brass Inlay Circa 1820

Very Fine Early 19th C. Anglo Indian Ivory and Sadeli Mosaic Sewing Box. Circa 1820

A fully fitted brass inlaid rosewood sewing box with gadrooned edges gilt side carrying handles and gilt feet. Inside the fully fitted sewing tray contains a set of turned ivory spools. Circa 1810. Enlarge Picture

Antique Burr Walnut  Domed-top Sewing box, circa 1875.

Antique Coromandel fitted sewing box with fine inlay in mother of pearl and abalone circa 1850. Enlarge Picture

Enlarge Picture

A Rosewood box the top of sycamore decorated with pyrography depicting a kilted boy, Bonnie Prince Charlie Circa 1815-20. Enlarge Picture Request Current list of sewing boxes with prices
Important Figured rosewood fully fitted sewing box by J.J. Mechi, of Leadenhall Market. London with inset brass carrying handles. The rosewood is profusely and finely inlaid with mother of pearl depicting floral motifs. The fully fitted inside lined with red water-silk, has a set of eight turned and carved mother of pearl spools, winders, matching waxer, tape-measure, and needle cleaner. There are also two unmatched pairs of silver handled and sheathed scissors which have cabochon turquoise set in their silver handles. The box also has a silver handled folding corkscrew, a silver propelling pencil by Morden and Co. a mother of pearl handled pen-knife and a stiletto. There is also a cut silver toped crystal scent bottle a wax-spoon/tweezers a pair of thimbles and a mother of pearl carnet de ball with ivory leaves. The lid has a mirror framed with water-silk which has been embossed with gold, which opens down to reveal a document wallet. Enlarge Picture Victorian walnut veneered box inlaid in strips of geometric marquetry circa 1880 Enlarge Picture An superb fully fitted shaped early Victorian coromandel sewing box with fine inlay of engraved mother of pearl and white metal, having turned drop handles and standing on turned and carved feet. The inside having mother of pearl spools and sewing tools including tape measure and waxer. Circa 1840 Important and Impressive Radiating Green Horn Vizagapatam Antique Fitted Sewing box, circa 1835.
 

We maintain the website primarily as an information source.  If you would like to be advised on the current availability of sewing boxes please write telling us what you like: 
Request current  list of available sewing boxes with prices.

The Schiffer book for collectors Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies and Society 1700-1880. by Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly is now in print and can be ordered from the links www.hygra.com/book


Home
e-mail
Contents
Back
Thumbs

© 1999-2013  Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly