Description

Lund of London

From our Vanity Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Coromandel Vanity Box by Lund. The Vanity Box of rectangular shape with brass edging veneered in exotic Coromandel with a vacant initial plaque framed by brass stringing to the lid. The front of the box features parallel strips of brass stringing and a central shield shaped brass escutcheon. The right hand side of the box features a second shield shaped escutcheon on the hidden drawer. The interior of the Vanity Box is lined in royal blue velvet with a ruched inner lid containing a rear compartment holding a free standing mirror and storage for letters. The Vanity Box houses eight cut glass jars with engine turned Sterling Silver lids with vacant initial plaques to the centre of each jar. The Silver is hallmarked London, Sterling Silver by Frances Douglas and is dated 1850 along with Lund, Corn Hill, Fleet St. in an oval cartouche. The top partitioned ‘T’ shaped tray tray of the Vanity Box lifts out and contains a smaller removable tool tray containing mother of pearl handled tools stamped Lund. Beneath the tray is a larger storage area to the front and a lidded compartment to the rear. The rear of the Vanity Box bears a makers plaque reading Lund 57 Cornhill London and the interior is finished with a stamped lockplate also reading Lund, London. To the side of the box there is a pull out drawer which is neatly partitioned for further storage of jewellery with a matching lockplate stamped Lund, London. The Vanity Box dates to the middle of the 19th century during the early Victorian era and is dated 1850.

The Vanity Box comes complete with two working locks and tasselled keys.

Measurements (inches) 6.9 High x 11.6 Wide x 8.46

Lund was established in London by Thomas Lund in 1804. Initially selling pens and quills the Lund firm became known for the high-quality manufacture of cutlery, writing boxes and other luxury items. William Lund the son of Thomas was also a cutler and dressing case maker, apprentice to William Anderson from who William acquired the premises on Fleet Street, London in 1835.  Thomas and William initially ran their businesses independently, but after Thomas’s death in 1845, William took over the running of both, whilst also expanding his own premises in Fleet Street. When William Lund died in 1872, his son Charles continued the business under the name of William Lund & Son.

Frances Douglas was listed at 13 Saint James Street as a widow. She was a working gold and silversmith employing 8 people. Frances was the wife of Archibald Douglas who died young in 1837, the mother of Archibald John Douglass ( AJD 1864) and Samuel Douglas all of whom were silversmiths.

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