Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism, by Asprey
Ref DL209
SOLD
Dating from 1879, this antique jewellery box in Coromandel features an extraordinary set of internal mechanisms that enables it to cantilever out into six compartmented tiers. This mechanism was designed and patented by the manufacturers, George Betjemann & Sons.
The self-locking Bramah lock is stamped with ‘ASPREY'S PATENT' around the circumference of the front aperture. 'Asprey's Patent' refers to the design of the lock, whereby the front aperture slides to the right, disengaging the locking mechanism and thus allowing the box to then be opened.
The interior is lined and partitioned with blue velvet and moiré silk. The front flap of the box drops forward to allow the top two compartments to swing out at right-angles to the box. This then reveals another two compartments underneath. These secondary tiers are spring-loaded and cantilever out by pushing down on a sliding button at the base of the box. Push buttons on the secondary tiers release concealed spring-loaded front drawers. These dovetail-joined drawers are made from solid Satinwood and have velvet and moiré silk-lined compartments with full width ring/ cuff-link channels.
The rear section has a fretworked brass gallery frontage. Brass plaques inlaid into the rims of the base section, read 'Betjemann's 41’ and 'Patent 41’.
There is a removable solid Coromandel panel in the lid inset with ruched velvet; this springs forward to display a mirror on the reverse. The right-hand hinge of the lid has incremental adjustments to allow the mirror (when stored inside the lid) to be adjusted for the ideal viewing angle.
The top plate of the lock is engraved with, ‘Asprey - To the Queen - 166 Bond St, London’.
The Asprey Patent Bramah lock comes with its original Bramah key. ... Read More
The self-locking Bramah lock is stamped with ‘ASPREY'S PATENT' around the circumference of the front aperture. 'Asprey's Patent' refers to the design of the lock, whereby the front aperture slides to the right, disengaging the locking mechanism and thus allowing the box to then be opened.
The interior is lined and partitioned with blue velvet and moiré silk. The front flap of the box drops forward to allow the top two compartments to swing out at right-angles to the box. This then reveals another two compartments underneath. These secondary tiers are spring-loaded and cantilever out by pushing down on a sliding button at the base of the box. Push buttons on the secondary tiers release concealed spring-loaded front drawers. These dovetail-joined drawers are made from solid Satinwood and have velvet and moiré silk-lined compartments with full width ring/ cuff-link channels.
The rear section has a fretworked brass gallery frontage. Brass plaques inlaid into the rims of the base section, read 'Betjemann's 41’ and 'Patent 41’.
There is a removable solid Coromandel panel in the lid inset with ruched velvet; this springs forward to display a mirror on the reverse. The right-hand hinge of the lid has incremental adjustments to allow the mirror (when stored inside the lid) to be adjusted for the ideal viewing angle.
The top plate of the lock is engraved with, ‘Asprey - To the Queen - 166 Bond St, London’.
The Asprey Patent Bramah lock comes with its original Bramah key. ... Read More
- Width: 34.4 cm / 13.5 inches
- Depth: 25.9 cm / 10.25 inches
- Height: 21.5 cm / 8.5 inches
