Description

Fully Fitted Interior

From our Vanity Box collection, we are excited to bring to the market this exceptional Burr Walnut and Silver Mechanical Vanity Box with a Royal Connection. The Vanity Box of rectangular form edged in brass and veneered in spectacular feathered burr walnut to the exterior finished with a simple barrel escutcheon. The vanity box opens via a special mechanism which engages upon lifting the lid, when starting to open the mechanism lowers the front automatically. The interior of the box contains multiple partitions and is lined in purple velvet, the inner lid fitted with a reversible mirror and secret letter compartment. The arms of the vanity box manually swing open to access the extensive tool tray composed of mother of pearl headed accoutrements with glass bottles and sterling silver caps all hallmarked by Thomas Whitehouse, London. Each hinge is also signed by the maker of the box George Betjemann and Sons. Inside the centre of the vanity box there are three layers of leather trays and a further three hidden drawers in the base.

The Burr Walnut and Silver Mechanical Vanity Box belonged to Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, the Duchess of Sutherland, a British peeress who served as the Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria from 1870 to 1874. She held the title of 1st Countess of Cromartie and was known as the Marchioness of Stafford from 1849 to 1861. She was awarded the Order of Victoria and Albert (3rd class). In the Royal Households of the UK, a lady-in-waiting is a woman assigned to accompany and support a female member of the Royal Family on public engagements. These appointments are usually made by junior female members of the Royal Family. A woman attending a queen regnant or queen consort is referred to as a lady-in-waiting, but may also be styled as a woman of the bedchamber or lady of the bedchamber, depending on her specific duties. Ladies in waiting wear an official badge on formal occasions, typically showcasing the Royal Family member’s monogram beneath a crown or coronet, elegantly suspended from a ribbon. The senior lady of a queen’s household, responsible for overseeing the duties of other ladies-in-waiting, is the Mistress of the Robes. The Burr Walnut and Silver Mechanical Vanity Box with a Royal Connection dates to the second half of the 19th century during the Victorian period 1869.

The Burr Walnut and Silver Mechanical Vanity Box with Royal Connection comes complete with a working lock and tasselled key.

Measurements (Inches) 8.3 High x 13.8 Wide x 10.25 Deep

Literature Mark Goodger 25th Anniversary Catalogue p.66-67

George Betejemann & Sons was a celebrated British firm of cabinet makers and retailers founded in the mid-19th century. Renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, the company quickly gained a reputation for producing some of the finest writing boxes and other luxury desk accessories of their time. Specializing in the use of high-quality materials such as rare woods, brass, and exotic leathers, George Betjemann & Sons catered to an elite clientele of royalty, nobility, and wealthy collectors, who appreciated the firm’s commitment to innovation, elegance, and functionality. The Betjemann family’s passion for craftsmanship was passed down from generation to generation, ensuring that the company’s legacy of exceptional design and quality endured for over a century. Today, antique pieces by George Betjemann & Sons are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike, revered for their timeless beauty and historical significance.

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.

Burr Walnut also known as figured Walnut is a highly prized wood which is formed by a growth deformation resulting from stress, disease or nurturing the tree in a specific way. Burr can be developed by blocking the sap flow of the tree by means of putting a French Walnut on top of the roots of an American Walnut. Due to the unusual properties, it is rare to come across a Walnut tree growing this way in the wild. Nurturing planted trees takes at least 80 years before it is mature enough to be cut for good purpose. Burr Walnut is highly desired for their unusual grain and pattern, used mostly in veneering larger pieces such as furniture would be joined by matching the veneer pieces or blending them together.

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 preceded by 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.

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