''Within this Box You there may fee The Face of One that''s dear to me'' - this charming oval 18th Century Bilston patch box, with its pink ground enamelled base, is particularly attractive. English enamelling from this period rarely survives in a perfect state of preservation. Some degree of wear is acceptable, especially when considering its age, fragility, and usage. These decorative and finely made boxes contained beauty marks or patches, sometimes to hide facial blemishes. These patches were often simply round, but as their popularity grew in the second half of the eighteenth century, hearts, moons or stars were not uncommon. Where the patch was placed could act as a visual code - a patch by the eye meant the person was passionate, whilst one by the lips was considered flirtatious. Overall this box is in remarkably good condition. with only some fine crazing to its delicate enamelled interior, and wear to the surface of what appears to be the original mirror. It forms part of a ...