Description

Antique Coromandel Dressing Boxwith brass escutcheon, initial plate, stringing and edging.

The interior features decorative engraved silver plated corner supports and elaborate hinge. It is fitted with fifteen silver-mounted, cut-glass containers with the silver marked: Thomas Whitehouse 1883.
The front of the box folds down to reveal a complete set of accoutrements with mother of pearl handles. The lid houses a velvet backed mirror which can be removed to reveal a letter compartment with a label inside which reads:
J & T Forgie 143 Buchanan Street Glasgow The compartments that house the glass containers swing out to the sides to reveal a storage space underneath.
On the back edge of the box the central screw of the silver plated hinge can be pressed to open a secret drawer. This drawer has several compartments for storing those precious items, including a a padded section for rings, earrings and cuff links.

Provenance and letters inside the box.

Boultbee Brooks (c1877-1952) of J. B. Brooks and Co
c1877 Born at Harborne as John Boultbee Brooks the son of John Boultbee Brooks and his wife Alice
1891 Living at 143 Pershore Road, Edgbaston: John B. Brooks (age 44 born Hinckley, Leics.), Manufacturer of leather Goods and an Employer. With his wife Alice J. Brooks (age 36 born Aston) and their five children; Alice A. Brooks (age 16 born Small Heath); John B. Brooks (age 14 born Harborne); Marie B. Brooks (age 13 born Harborne); May E. Brooks (age 10 born Birmingham); Kate E. Brooks (age 8 born Birmingham); and Wilfred M. Brooks (age 6 born Birmingham). Also his nephew Harry B. Brooks (age 13 born Birmingham).[1]
1900 A visitor in the home of Julia F. S. Kerr, Rossyln, Station Road, Sutton Coldfield: Boultbee Brooks (age 24 born Harborne), Director of Public Company. Single.[2]
1911 Living at Blackwell Court, near Bromsgrove: Boultbee Brooks (age 34 born Harborne), Managing Director – Cycle Saddle and Leather Goods Maker. With his wife Julia Frances Smith Brooks (age 35 born Warrington) and their two children; Julia Dorothy Tweedie Brooks (age 7 born Boldmere, Wks) and Alice Marjorie Brooks (age 1 born Bromsgrove). Also his sister-in-law Mary Ann Smith Tweedie Stafford (age 37 born Altrincham) and his niece Jean Tweedie Stafford (age 11 born St. Andrews). Five servants.[3]
1945 January 24th. Death of his wife Julia Frances

This antique dressing case comes with a fully working lock and tasselled key.

Additional information