Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent ‘Automatic’ Mechanism, by Fisher

Dating from 1873, 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 cabinetmaking.

This Betjemann Patent mechanism 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 closed.

The interior is finished with blue velvet and moiré silk. The central area of the box houses two removable leather-bound trays. With both trays removed, two small concealed leather-bound drawers behind become accessible.

A ruched velvet panel fitted within the lid can be sprung forward and reversed to display a removable leather-framed mirror. Behind this panel is a gold-tooled retailer's mark of ‘Fisher - 188 Strand London’.

The mark of ‘Betjemann's 238’ and ‘Patent 238’ 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.

Ref: DL264