Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel, by William Leuchars

This antique jewellery box, veneered in Coromandel with brass edging, was manufactured and retailed by William Leuchars during the late 1870’s.

The interior of the box is lined with dark magenta velvet with a matching grosgrain silk edging. Each of the internal walls, floor and ceiling are lightly padded.

The lock plate is stamped with ‘M 667 W. Leuchars Patent, 38 Piccadilly London’. The ‘Leuchars Patent’ stamp refers to its design whereby the exposed front cylinder can be twisted clockwise using the key (or indeed awkwardly with one’s thumb and forefinger), thus disengaging the locking mechanism and allowing the box to be opened; by simply closing the box, the locking mechanism will automatically re-engage. A full anti-clockwise turn of the key will lock the front aperture's twist mechanism in place; in this state the box is completely deadlocked. ... Read More