A Sarcophagal Tunbridge Ware Sewing Box with Isometric Cube Design, c1835

Additional Information:
Heading: Tunbridge Ware – A Sarcophagal Sewing Box with Isometric Cube Design c1835
Date : c1835
Period : William IV – Victoria
Origin : Tunbridge Wells; England
Decoration : to the lid – a small panel of isometric cubes featuring palmeira, coromandel, birds-eye maple and other veneers bounded with geometric miniature mosaic, the canted edges of the lid featuring the same, with banded keyline stringing to both. A wider mosaic band to all four sides of the rosewood body, again with keyline borders; a diamond shaped, flush fitted bone escutcheon around the keyhole; angles sides to the base, the whole sitting on four flattened bun feet; internally, a lift-out tray seated on ledged edges over the main void; the tray has sixteen compartments (with one divider missing, so should have seventeen); two of these have lift out lids with padded pin cushions affixed, one with a stitched tool-band; one box-based pin cushion, and a shaped thimble-holder; includes two small yarn cards; original rouched satin lining to the inside of the lid; replacement paper to the base; working lock and key
Size : 21.9 W x 16.6 D x 11.1 H cm
Condition : Excellent; a little crazing to the lacquer in places; one missing divider as above, wear to the lining paper where it wraps over the edges of the compartments
Restoration : re-lined base as above
Note : The use of a variety of very small, very finely grained tesserae to make up the mosaics is a signature of work produced by Humphrey Burrows, as noted by Margaret Gill and Brian Austen in their respective books.