Beautiful Italian Sorrento ware jewellery casket. Sarcophagus body with a slightly domed hinged lid and turned ivorine feet. Veneered in bird's eye maple, walnut and satinwood with a wonderful high-gloss finish. The lid is inlaid with an intricate design of scrolls, foliage and birds, typical of this woodworking tradition.

The box opens to reveal a small compartment for keepsakes that is lined with powder blue button silk; the interior of the lid has an oval mirror with twisted silk rope trim. The lower edge of the box is decorated with an ornate micro mosaic band.

The box was originally made as a music box, but the mechanism needs repair.

445 g
6.5 cm tall
18.5 x 12 cm across the top
16.5 x 12 cm across the base
3 x 8 x 9.5 cm inside compartment

Very good antique condition. Some crazing to the veneer and tiny chip to lid; wear to the silk lining and foxing to mirror appropriate to age; the music mechanism needs repair.