Description

By George Betjemann & Sons, London 1874. Once belonging to Mrs Clara Gardiner Muir, this beautiful brass-edged dressing case is veneered in richly figured exotic coromandel, and comes complete with its original leather carry case. The case opens to reveal eleven various glass silver topped toiletry and perfume jars with stunning engraved and chased silver, bearing the Muir family crest & coat of arms, housed in dark blue velvet and encased within a nickel plated pierced gallery. The front folds down to reveal three ivory hand mirrors, while the top two sections swing out to reveal fully fitted accoutrements trays comprising an assortment of twenty needlework and grooming items with spiral turned mother of pearl handle scissors, manicure items, corkscrew, needle-case etc, all in fitted blue velvet trays, and a silver button – pressing this releases the upper section of silver which swings out via a sprung loaded mechanism revealing four ivory brushes, shoe horn and glove stretchers. Below the top tier and at the back of each accoutrements tray is another button; pressing this reveals a beautiful solid satinwood jewellery drawer with delicate, tiny dovetail joints – this is lined in rich velvet with a compartment for rings (or cufflinks, if used by a gentleman). A black leather framed mirror in the lid springs forward by pressing a secret button near the lock plate, behind which is a secret letter compartment. The mirror has a ruched velvet pad which allows it to be free-standing, if so desired; the mirror is reversible, giving the owner the choice of how to display it, once back inside the lid.

Provenance – a gift of Mrs Clara Gardiner Muir (d.1952) of Postlip Hall, Cheltenham, thence by descent. The box comes with many mementos and keepsakes of Clara’s and the Gardiner Muir family, including dance cards (one from Eglinton Castle, 28th March 1883), letters from Royals and aristocrats, and a photograph of Clara herself.

This wonderful piece of history comes with full provenance.

Created By:
G, G W, & J BETJEMANN, LONDON (worked from 1872)

GEORGE BETJEMANN & SONS, LONDON (worked from 1858)

Additional information