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Antique 'Salesman Sample' Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent 'Automatic' Mechanism, Manufactured For Asprey
Ref DL414
£6995
Dating from 1862, 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 cabinet-making. This particular piece, Patent No.18, was specifically manufactured as a ‘salesman sample’ for the Asprey shop in order to demonstrate to prospective customers how this ingenious mechanical box operated.
The 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 lined with blue velvet and moiré silk, finished with a gold-tooled Greek key design on leather. Coromandel framed glass panels allow the full mechanism to be displayed, and a coromandel framed mirror to the rear wall extends this viewing angle. Both side trays feature a small glass window in the floor, aided by right-angled mirror panels, in order to view the movement of the cantilever mechanism’s rotating shaft.
An embossed leather panel on the inside of the lid displays the gold tooled maker's mark of, 'ASPREY. MANUFACTURER TO HER MAJESTY. 166 BOND ST W.
The mark of 'Betjemann's 18’ and 'Patent 18’ 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.
Comments:
This box is one of the most exciting pieces that I have ever retailed. In nearly 30 years of dedicated research into antique boxes, I have never read mention of this type of retail 'demonstration' box existing. ... Read More
The 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 lined with blue velvet and moiré silk, finished with a gold-tooled Greek key design on leather. Coromandel framed glass panels allow the full mechanism to be displayed, and a coromandel framed mirror to the rear wall extends this viewing angle. Both side trays feature a small glass window in the floor, aided by right-angled mirror panels, in order to view the movement of the cantilever mechanism’s rotating shaft.
An embossed leather panel on the inside of the lid displays the gold tooled maker's mark of, 'ASPREY. MANUFACTURER TO HER MAJESTY. 166 BOND ST W.
The mark of 'Betjemann's 18’ and 'Patent 18’ 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.
Comments:
This box is one of the most exciting pieces that I have ever retailed. In nearly 30 years of dedicated research into antique boxes, I have never read mention of this type of retail 'demonstration' box existing. ... Read More
- Width: 36 cm / 14 inches
- Depth: 29 cm / 11.5 inches
- Height: 22.2 cm / 8.75 inches