Antique Dressing Case in Calamander with Silver-Gilt / Gold Fittings by Walter Thornhill
Ref DL068
SOLD
Veneered in vibrant Calamander and edged in brass, this large antique dressing case was manufactured and retailed by Walter Thornhill in 1864.
The interior, lined in blue velvet, contains fifteen hobnail cut glass vanity bottles and jars with silver-gilt, engraved and engine-turned lids. Solid gold discs inset into the lids are engraved with the monogram 'F.S'. Each of the lids have the makers mark of Thomas Johnson, and are hallmarked London 1864. The larger lids also display the stamp of 'Thornhill - 144 Bond Street'.
Removing the main tray of jars uncovers a vanity tool tray below that includes a mother of pearl handled button hook, a mother of pearl handled nail file and cuticle scraper, a pencil lead case, a needle case, a mother of pearl stemmed ink pen, a two part cork screw, a pen nib case, two pairs of scissors, a napkin hook, a miniature hand mirror, a mother of pearl shoe horn, a thimble, a pair of tweezers, an S. Mordan & Co retractable pencil, a mother of pearl handled pen knife, a mother of pearl powder spoon, a mother of pearl handled stiletto, a mother of pearl handled crochet hook and a screw-threaded hook.
The lower drawer, with its independently locking Bramah lock, contains seven velvet-lined compartments and sixteen ring channels. Removing the drawer allows access to a concealed lever in the ceiling. This lever disengages the ceiling fitment and reveals a secret drop-down tray that comprises three shallow compartmented areas and twenty four gold sovereign holders.
A leather-bound mirror in the lid can be removed to display a ruched velvet mirror stand on the reverse. Behind the mirror panel is a concealed leather-bound letter wallet that in turn drops forward to display a fitted leather-bound hand mirror set into the underside of the lid.
The interior brass work and lock plates have all been ornately engraved and retain their rich original gilded finish. Both Bramah locks are engraved with 'J. Bramah - 124 Piccadilly', and come with their original Bramah key. A maker's plate on the rear rim of the box reads, ' W. Thornhill - Manufacturer to the Royal Family - 144 New Bond Street, London.' ... Read More
The interior, lined in blue velvet, contains fifteen hobnail cut glass vanity bottles and jars with silver-gilt, engraved and engine-turned lids. Solid gold discs inset into the lids are engraved with the monogram 'F.S'. Each of the lids have the makers mark of Thomas Johnson, and are hallmarked London 1864. The larger lids also display the stamp of 'Thornhill - 144 Bond Street'.
Removing the main tray of jars uncovers a vanity tool tray below that includes a mother of pearl handled button hook, a mother of pearl handled nail file and cuticle scraper, a pencil lead case, a needle case, a mother of pearl stemmed ink pen, a two part cork screw, a pen nib case, two pairs of scissors, a napkin hook, a miniature hand mirror, a mother of pearl shoe horn, a thimble, a pair of tweezers, an S. Mordan & Co retractable pencil, a mother of pearl handled pen knife, a mother of pearl powder spoon, a mother of pearl handled stiletto, a mother of pearl handled crochet hook and a screw-threaded hook.
The lower drawer, with its independently locking Bramah lock, contains seven velvet-lined compartments and sixteen ring channels. Removing the drawer allows access to a concealed lever in the ceiling. This lever disengages the ceiling fitment and reveals a secret drop-down tray that comprises three shallow compartmented areas and twenty four gold sovereign holders.
A leather-bound mirror in the lid can be removed to display a ruched velvet mirror stand on the reverse. Behind the mirror panel is a concealed leather-bound letter wallet that in turn drops forward to display a fitted leather-bound hand mirror set into the underside of the lid.
The interior brass work and lock plates have all been ornately engraved and retain their rich original gilded finish. Both Bramah locks are engraved with 'J. Bramah - 124 Piccadilly', and come with their original Bramah key. A maker's plate on the rear rim of the box reads, ' W. Thornhill - Manufacturer to the Royal Family - 144 New Bond Street, London.' ... Read More
- Width: 35.9 cm / 14 inches
- Depth: 25.8 cm / 10.25 inches
- Height: 22 cm / 8.75 inches
