Channel: Auctions Auction Title: Proxibid Antiques and Collectibles Auction Start Date: 12/9/2008 11AM Estimate: $190.00 - $240.00 USD Dealer: Mandy's Madcap Vintages Contact: Dawn Brunette
Dealer accepts: Money Order, Wire Transfer, PayPal

Extremely rare and beautifully handcrafted with Mother of Pearl inlay, letterbox.

Description: Originally from England and dating to around the early 1900's, this box is a must for the discerning collector. Beautiful rosewood and "ecaille en nacre" (mother of pearl inlay) is shell inlaid on wood. I believe it is actually a letter or document box but can be used as a trinket / jewellery box or for keepsakes and momentos. Magnificent mother of pearl inlay floral spray on the lid of the box, highly detailed even to the tiny minuscule thorns on the stems of the roses. A large butterfly hovers overhead accompanied by two smaller butterflies. It has a push button opening, possibly brass but greatly darkened with patina, as is all of the fittings. There is a small "arm" inside to the right for holding the box open. There is also mother of pearl inlay on the back and left and right sides of the box in the form of flowing vines and leaves. I have closely examined this box with a jeweler's loupe and find all of the inlay to be present. There is however a very small abrasion to the wood on the top of the box that looks at first to be part of the overall decoration (about 5m x 3m) and could easily be touched up. There are two hairline cracks or "splitting" due to age, toward the back at the top, barely visible and appear at first glance to be part of the grain of the wood. All in all, this has done remarkably well for it's considerable years and is in very fine condition with minimal signs of age / wear. The measurements are 9-1/4" inches wide from left to right and 5-1/8" from north to south. The standing height is 2-1/2" inches. It is unlined and could be beautifully embellished inside as you wish and to suit your own personal taste. Gorgeous coloration of the MOP inlay and wonderful artistry and detail, particularly on the wings of the butterfly that show "eyes," the veins of the leaves, shading of the roses in full bloom, tiny thorns on the stems. It truly is a joy to behold.

Status: For Sale	Reference#: 821
Condition: Excellent vintage cond.	Year: Victorian / Edwardian
Country: England	Maker: Handmade
Title: Victorian Rosewood Letterbox "Ecaille en Nacre"

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