A good coromandel-wood Lady’s silver Dressing Case and contents, Hallmarked 1858

A good Coromandel-wood Lady’s Dressing and Jewellery case, with hallmarked silver topped bottles & containers. Hallmarked for 1858 by the maker Thomas Johnson of London.

The beautiful highly polished exterior shows the coromandel-wood grain off to its best. The brass bound edges protect the extremities from casual dings and knocks, resulting in an exceptional quality finish. There is a small cartouche to the top with the letters ‘SDD’ (possibly ‘SHH’) engraved within.

Open the lid and the six silver topped bottles are presented in a partitioned red velvet lined shelf. There are three further rectangular silver-topped glass containers. A further lift out fitted tool-pad contains four mother-of-pearl handled tools, two pairs of scissors; tweezers; file; penknife; and a small folding cork screw, for scent bottles. The tool-shelf lifts out to reveal a small storage area underneath. There is a small pull-out pin-fold, and a pin cushion. The whole shelf in turn lifts out to reveal a larger leather lined storage area within. There is currently an oval silver-topped nail buffer in there (a nice addition, but not original to the case).

To the left of the box (when open) is a small button, which when pressed releases a spring-loaded secret drawer. The drawer pulls out from the lower right of the box revealing a leather writing surface, which in turn lifts out to reveal a red-silk lined compartmentalised jewellery storage area.

Within the inside of the lid, is a rotating brass release, which when opened releases the ruched-velvet panel. When reversed it transforms into a good sized gilt-tooled red-leather and decorated vanity mirror, with its original glass (some fogging). Behind the mirror is a red-leather letter pocket which folds open from the top. All in exceptional condition.

The condition of the box is superb. The large rectangular glass dish has been broken at some point and glued back together. One of the silver-topped bottles has been replaced (circular one, middle of the five, in the picture). But otherwise all the tools appear to be original and everything is present.

Dimensions:  Width: 12 inches. Depth: 9 inches. Height: 7 inches (30.5 x 23 x 18 cm)

Dated: c.1858 (Hallmarked)