An antique ladies dressing box has just totalled £5,000 in an Antiques, Homes & Interiors auction in Lichfield, (23rd October).
The Victorian box made of rosewood and bound in brass boasts the luxury retailer mark of Asprey, London, (jewellers to Queen Victoria). The interior comprises everything an affluent Victorian lady could want whilst on her travels. On the inside of the lid is an easel looking glass behind which is concealed a blotting pad for writing and concealing correspondence. Inside are numerous clear cut glass vessels for containing cosmetics each of which with an intricately engraved silver gilt lid incorporating the owner’s personal monogram. In the centre is a section for containing various implements such as scissors and a folding knife. Below are ivory mounted brushes and secret drawers cushioned with velvet for keeping jewels.
Such boxes were a symbol of status in Victorian society. They were works of art in their own right and Asprey only retailed boxes of the highest quality incorporating the finest woods such as rosewood and coromadel and delicate silver fittings. Some boxes even have secret compartments operated by springs and levers.
This box is the second dressing box from a local private collection auctioned at Richard Winterton of Lichfield. Estimated at £3,000-4,000, two phone bidders, room and online bidders battled to secure it. The gavel fell to a UK based phone bidder.
Elsewhere in the same sale, Lot 181 a 1908 London Olympic Judge’s badge and medal exceeded pre-sale expectations to total £2,100. Lot 253 a Georgian terrapin shell table snuff box discovered on a valuation day in Lichfield brought £1,100.
Furniture in the sale performed particularly well with Lot 1511, a pair of Victorian ebonised boullework pier cabinets from a Sutton Coldfield property bringing £2,200 and Lot 1509, a Georgian elm bacon settle from Whitehall Farm, Henley In Arden at £3,000.
The next Antique, Home and Interiors sale is 20th/21st November and final entries are being invited. Please contact Richard Winterton Auctioneers for further details on 01543 251081.