Description

Coromandel Sewing boxattributed to Thomas Lund, the top & front double-strung in bone with mother of pearl escutcheons. The lid’s interior has a letter compartment inset with a pink silk framed mirror, over a conforming lidded and compartmentalised tray, with
a set of eight engraved top mother of pearl reel holders with snow flake designs, a set of six engraved mother of pearl inward curving
rectangular silk winders, a matching swivel notelet, a matching trio of waxer, emery and tape measure with complete printed tape. With a central velvet flush-fitted tool tray with silver
pencil, stiletto, two pairs of steel scissors, a 31⁄2 inch mother of pearl rule, a folding knife, crochet hook, gilt bodkin and engraved silver tweezer/earspoon, and further fitted with two silver thimbles, a pair of needlebooks and a pair of pincushions.
With fully working lock and tasselled key.

When we acquire sewing boxes (also known as work or needlework boxes), it’s always a pleasure to see what’s inside them, and to imagine and how ladies used each one differently. We often find many sewing tools, pin cushions, sewing patterns etc, as well as mysterious items we have not come across before. We keep boxes’ original contents intact as much as possible, as we feel removing them is detrimental to the history and character of the box.

Needlework & embroidery were the main pass-time of Georgian ladies. Their tools & materials were first kept in sewing baskets or pouches, until wooden Sewing Boxes became highly fashionable around the 1770s. They were often decorated according to the lady’s own style & personal taste, sometimes by the lady herself. Some were also pre-fitted with tools such as tape measures, thread reels & thimbles.

By the late 1800s, sewing boxes remained popular but styles became more basic & commercially made.

Created By:
WILLIAM LUND, LONDON (worked from c.1850)

Additional information