Antique Dressing Case in Calamander with Silver-Gilt / Gold Fittings by Walter Thornhill

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 has the maker’s mark of Thomas Johnson, and is 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 button hook with a mother-of-pearl handle, a nail file and cuticle scraper with a mother-of-pearl handle, a pencil lead case, a needle case, a mother-of-pearl stemmed ink pen, a two-part corkscrew, a pen nib case, two pairs of scissors, a napkin hook, a miniature hand mirror, a mother-of-pearl shoehorn, a thimble, a pair of tweezers, an S. Mordan & Co retractable pencil, a pen knife with a mother-of-pearl handle, a mother-of-pearl powder spoon, a stiletto with a mother-of-pearl handle, a crochet hook with a mother-of-pearl handle 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 brasswork 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.’

Ref: DL068