Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut with Double-Hinged Mechanism

Dating from the mid-1860’s, this antique jewellery box is veneered in burr walnut, edged with quadrant brass, and finished with an overlaid brass front handle.

The interior of the box is veneered in coromandel and lined with burgundy velvet and matching moiré silk. Using the front handle, the top tray lifts up and double hinges outward to reveal a secondary tier. This secondary tier is fitted with a curiously offset spring-loaded mechanism that allows a visible piston to travel through into the front tray housing; this provides strength and rigidity to both sections when fully opened out for use. The secondary tier can only be used to display items rather than hold them as, when folded up, this tier actually sits upside-down within the box.

When fully opened, the base section of the box becomes accessible; fitted within this section are two solid satinwood drawers with coromandel frontages.

The lock is fitted with an unusual mechanism whereby the normal action of locking the box will simultaneously deploy a concealed lower bolt to lock the top tray and secondary tier when closed up. The lock comes with its original key. ... Read More