Description

Mentor to George Betjemann 

From our Vanity Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Coromandel Vanity Dressing Box by Merrick. The Vanity Box of rectangular shape veneered in exotic Coromandel wood and edging in brass is inlaid with an extremely stylish brass stringing geometric design to the front and lid framing a vacant initial plaque and escutcheon. The interior of the Vanity Box is lined in red velvet with a ruched inner lid framed in gold tooling containing a rear compartment for storage for letters and the manufacturer’s label for Merrick, London. The Vanity Box houses ten jars with eight glass jars having pierced and solid silver plate lids and two solid Sterling Silver jars at the front. The top section of the Vanity Box is finished with beautiful gold tooling to each partition adding to the build quality and finish. The centre of the lift out top tray contains a removable tool pad tray containing various mother of pearl handled tools. Beneath the tray is a slightly larger storage area a second hidden storage area can be found beneath the central rear jar when removed. Behind the central rear jar there is a push button which activates the front drawer which is partitioned for valuables such as jewellery and a central pocket watch. The Vanity Box dates to the second half of the 19th century during the Victorian era circa 1855.

The Coromandel Vanity Dressing Box by Merrick comes complete with a working lock and tasselled key.

Measurements (inches) 7 High x 13 Wide x 10

William Merrick (William Merrick and Richard Merrick) 3 Coppice Row, Clerkenwell, London to 6 St John’s Square, Clerkenwell, London and 57 Red Lion Street, Clerkenwell, London. Merricks business flourished between 1809 – 1845 training the well known cabinet maker George Betjemann and his sons, it was taken over by family until circa 1860. William Merrick was listed as a tunbridge Ware Manufacturer from 1809 until 1845 residing at 3 Coppice Row (present day Farringdon Road) from 1809 to 1817 and then at 6 St Johns Square, Clerkenwell from 1817 to the 1830s. He was then listed additionally as a portable desk and dressing table maker. By the 1840s, Williams business traded on Red Lion Street, Clerkenwell (next to St Johns Square) when his son Richard Merrick seems to have taken over after operating as a Cabinetmaker of Garnault Place, Clerkenwell in his own right – during the 1830s. He married circa 1830 and had a son Richard W Merrick in circa 1831. Richard Snr was still in business on Red Lion St in 1861 listed again as a Tunbridge Ware Maker.

Coromandel is a valuable wood found in India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. It has a contrasting hazel-brown colour with black grain. It is a dense, heavy wood that is so popular it has been logged to extinction over the last few hundred years. This makes Calamander pieces even more special.

Mother of Pearl is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. It is the same material that natural pearls are made from and is desirable due to its strong and resilient makeup along with its beautiful iridescent shimmer.

Victorian an era of British History corresponding approximately with the reign of Queen Victoria from the 20th of June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901 however, there are arguments stating that the Victorian era is actually from 1820 until 1914 proceeded by the Georgian era and followed by the Edwardian era.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

Additional information