A substantial late Victorian jewellery box in richly figured rosewood, embellished with intricate mother-of-pearl inlay. The lid and front are framed with scrolling floral and foliate decoration, finely cut in shimmering mother-of-pearl, with an engraved cartouche centred on the lid and a matching inlaid surround to the keyhole.
The hinged lid opens to a green-lined interior, while the underside conceals a fitted dressing mirror behind the original ruched velvet panel, transforming the box into a compact dressing case. The base holds a further secret drawer, invisible when closed — a feature far more complex to produce than an ordinary fitted box, and one especially prized by collectors of Victorian boxes and mechanical curiosities.
The box retains its original working lock and key.
Condition notes
Good antique condition overall, with an attractive mellow colour and a pleasing patina acquired over more than 140 years. The box remains structurally sound, the lock and key work correctly, and the concealed drawer operates as intended. There are some minor losses to the mother-of-pearl inlay, together with the expected surface marks and wear associated with age and use. There is also some wood loss to the front left-hand corner and to one corner of the concealed drawer, both of which are clearly illustrated in the photographs. The mirror has a crack, and the interior lining shows gentle age-related wear.
