Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent 'Automatic' Mechanism
Ref DL180
SOLD
Dating from 1870, this antique jewellery box in Coromandel was designed and manufactured by George Betjemann & Sons, innovators of some of the finest and most creative mechanisms in cabinet-making.
This Betjemann Patent mechanism (Patent No.73) operates so that as the lid of the box is raised, the two winged side trays and the front panel automatically open out simultaneously; this action is then reversed as the lid is lowered. This particular design patent features two small sprung rollers on the interior edge of the box to aid the smoother movement of the winged side trays.
The leather-bound interior is finished with burgundy velvet and grosgrain silk. Both winged sections contain four small jewellery compartments. The central leather-bound tray can be removed to reveal a lower secondary partitioned tray with a ring/ cuff link channel. With both trays removed, two further small concealed drawers behind become accessible.
The ruched velvet panel in the lid can be sprung forward and reversed to display a leather framed mirror. Removing this panel reveals a leather-bound letter wallet behind.
An engraved brass plate set into the front edge of the drop-front panel bears the retailer’s mark of ‘Ollivant & Botsford - 2 Exchange St, Manchester’.
The mark of 'Betjemann's 73’ and 'Patent 73’ are stamped on the lower hinge mounts of the drop-front panel.
The Bramah lock is fully working and comes with its original Bramah key. ... Read More
This Betjemann Patent mechanism (Patent No.73) operates so that as the lid of the box is raised, the two winged side trays and the front panel automatically open out simultaneously; this action is then reversed as the lid is lowered. This particular design patent features two small sprung rollers on the interior edge of the box to aid the smoother movement of the winged side trays.
The leather-bound interior is finished with burgundy velvet and grosgrain silk. Both winged sections contain four small jewellery compartments. The central leather-bound tray can be removed to reveal a lower secondary partitioned tray with a ring/ cuff link channel. With both trays removed, two further small concealed drawers behind become accessible.
The ruched velvet panel in the lid can be sprung forward and reversed to display a leather framed mirror. Removing this panel reveals a leather-bound letter wallet behind.
An engraved brass plate set into the front edge of the drop-front panel bears the retailer’s mark of ‘Ollivant & Botsford - 2 Exchange St, Manchester’.
The mark of 'Betjemann's 73’ and 'Patent 73’ are stamped on the lower hinge mounts of the drop-front panel.
The Bramah lock is fully working and comes with its original Bramah key. ... Read More
- Width: 34.1 cm / 13.5 inches
- Depth: 25.2 cm / 10 inches
- Height: 20.9 cm / 8.25 inches
