Please note: I have added 69 photos to the bottom of this listing to try and show the item in as much detail as possible so please take the time to view them all carefully.
This is an antique POSH ladies sewing - writing necessaire or etui in its original hand painted lacquer papier mache box.
Late Georgian to early Victorian period, just on the cusp of change.
The box is made from wood that has been lacquered and gilt paint design around the edge, the back hinges have been replaced with a strip of leather so the lid does not open like it would have done originally.
The box lid is hand painted with a scene of a period couple sat on a large wing back chair in their home holding hands with their King Charles type Spaniel dog by their feet. On the far left is a portrait hung on the wall with a chair below which has books on it and on the floor by it. A fancy table with an open book which has the gentleman's arm upon it.
You can see out of the open door a village and church with large steeple in the distance.
Very well painted... it has no signature on the front.
The sides of the box have been painted with a gilt foliage pattern.
The base of the box is all black lacquer and has been engraved with "By Charles Midgley".
The PRICE is for this hand painted miniature on the lid and NOT the actual box or the contents, just the very fine painting.
The box has been repaired with a thick piece of leather down the hinge. The front brass clasp is typical of the period.
Inside, the box is lined with pink velvet base and silk with latticed silk ribbons on the inner lid for storage. The silk is ripe and stained.
The set includes:
A cylindrical needle case made from unmarked silver metal with an engraved foliage pattern. Pull off lid. It is 6.5cm long x 7mm dia.
An awl with a steel poker and carved mother of pearl handle (a/f as the back of the mother of pearl handle is broken off). It is 7.5cm long x 1cm wide handle.
A folding item for quill cutting with a carved mother of pearl handle, the quill cutter is marked F.L. Haus (a/f handle cracked on one side). This is 7.5cm long x 9mm wide.
A pair of fine steel sewing scissors with a brass metal restoration. These are 9cm long x 27mm wide.
A retractable cylindrical pencil marked S. Mordan & Co. with an unused carnelian wax hand seal on the end of the handle. 88mm long.
A retractable awl or toothpick with an unused purple glass wax hand seal on the end. It is 6 sided type. This is 6cm long when closed.
A gilt needle threader or bodkin needle. 6.5cm long.
An unmarked silver thimble engraved with the initials AM (a/f has holes and is split). It is 24mm tall.
A cut glass scent / perfume bottle with an unmarked silver top. Tapered rectangular section. Screw off lid. Bottle is 8cm tall x 12mm x 10mm at the shoulder, narrower at the bottom. Silver lid is dented.
I can see the set has had another long needle in it as well. ...now missing.
