Puckerings has dated this piece to the 1880s.
The entire cabinet is smothered with shell or nacre inlay with lavish gilded decoration, all created a very grand box.
The lid lifts and the doors open to reveal a painted interior with each drawer painted with a different floral spray. The top is of course a fitted sewing box with mother or pearl implements and various silver sewing tapes (they seem to have the tapes within but might require a little attention to keep the tape from going all the way inside), there is also a Mother of Pearl and Ivory tape and a sterling silver thimble hallmarked for Chester 1896.
The drawers are all mounted with Mother of Pearl pulls. The bottom drawer is a small lady's writing slope or lap desk, the leather having had to be replaced, the box also came without either of the inkwells but I have found one period (Victorian) brass-topped inkwell to fit.
Above this drawer is a fitted Jewellery drawer and a similarly lined drawer above this. The top three drawers are lined again for Jewellery or trinkets.
An exceptional find, in an extremely rare form. Excellent condition, measuring 15" x 12 1/2" x 18 1/2" tall.
Item ID: 33445
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Puckerings has dated this piece to the 1880s.
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Grandest Papier Mache Lady's Compendium C. 1880
