This French Novelty Trunk Jewellery Box, dating to circa 1900, is carved from wood in the form of a miniature travelling trunk, complete with simulated leather straps, brass latches and side handles. The lid is fitted with a shaped vacant initial plaque, with a matching escutcheon and lockable latch to the front.

Opening the box reveals an interior lined in black velvet, finished with rope work around the border. The jewellery box retains its working lock and tasselled key.

This authentic 1940s aluminium desk model represents a Douglas DC-4-1009 airliner operated by AB Aerotransport (Swedish Air Lines), dating to the immediate post-war period when commercial aviation was entering a new era of international passenger travel.

The model is finely cast in aluminium and finished with hand-painted and applied details, depicting the four-engine Douglas DC-4 with rotating propellers, streamlined fuselage, and the distinctive Swedish Air Lines livery. The fuselage is marked “SWEDISH AIR LINES”, with the registration SE-BBE applied to the rear fuselage and wings, while the tail is stamped “AB AEROTRANSPORT STOCKHOLM-SWEDEN”.

The aircraft is mounted on a heavy black-finished sweeping display stand, designed for presentation on a desk or in an office environment. Unlike commercial toys, airline models of this type were produced as professional agency and promotional displays, commissioned for travel offices, airline headquarters, and booking environments to showcase routes and aircraft to prospective passengers.

The Douglas DC-4 played an important role in the development of post-war commercial aviation, providing long-range passenger services across international routes. AB Aerotransport operated under the Swedish Air Lines name during the late 1940s before becoming part of the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) in the early 1950s.

A striking piece of aviation history, this vintage Douglas DC-4 model combines the appeal of early airline design with the rarity of surviving agency display examples from the post-war period which were already made in limited number. It remains an impressive collector’s piece for aviation enthusiasts, transportation collectors, or those seeking an unusual decorative object in totally untouched original condition.

Vintage Louis Vuitton monogram jewellery and watch case of elongated rectangular form, finished in the classic monogram canvas with brass mounts, reinforced corners and riveted construction throughout. The case retains the original leather carrying handle and brass Louis Vuitton lock with engraved lock number 1012703.

The suede and velvet lined interior is fitted and two removable trays. The upper tray contains six cushioned watch compartments, while the lower tray is fitted with four divisions and a two further watch compartments. Beneath is a further large storage compartment. The interior retains the original Louis Vuitton maker’s label numbered 941319.

This Louis Vuitton jewellery and watch case dates to the second half of the twentieth century, circa 1975, and represents a high quality example of Louis Vuitton’s fitted luxury storage pieces from this period.

Please note only the black watch cushions will be included in the sale of the jewellery box.

This Asprey Silver Mounted Globe Match Holder, dated 2010, is formed with a clear glass globe body mounted with a sterling silver top rim. The rounded glass form is finished with a wide circular opening, the polished silver mount following the contour of the upper edge.

The silver rim is signed Asprey, London and bears full sterling silver hallmarks for 2010. Designed to hold matches upright within the glass body, the piece combines a simple spherical form with the substantial silver mount characteristic of Asprey’s luxury desk and smoking accessories.

This Regency Mahogany Apothecary Box, dating to circa 1820, is of rectangular form with a fitted upper compartment and single drawer below. The mahogany case is mounted with a flush brass carrying handle to the lid, a brass escutcheon to the front and a flush mounted brass handle to the drawer.

Opening the lid reveals a fully fitted interior containing an assortment of glass medicine bottles and vials, together with scales, a glass mortar and pestle and associated medical accessories. The inside of the lid retains its original trade label for The Medical Hall, 54 Lower Sackville Street, Dublin, Charles Butler M.D., Proprietor, with Established A.D. 1817 to one side and For the Sale of Genuine Medicines to the other. The small printed inscription beneath the illustration reads Myers, Sparrow & Co., London for the printer/engraver of the trade label.

The lower drawer is secured by a retaining pin accessed from the top of the box, which must be removed before the drawer can be opened. The drawer contains further fitted compartments for additional bottles and medical implements, retaining a substantial proportion of its original contents.

Green tortoiseshell tea caddy dating to the Georgian period, circa 1790 during the reign of George III.

The exterior is finished in vibrant green tortoiseshell and mounted with silver stringing, a vacant silver initial plaque and matching silver escutcheon.

The interior is faced in boxwood and fitted with two tortoiseshell lids, each mounted with turned bone handles. When removed, the lids reveal twin tea storage compartments retaining visible traces of their original lining.

The tea caddy remains complete with a working lock and tasselled key and is a rare example of late eighteenth century tortoiseshell tea caddies.

View the full Tea Caddy Collection.

Vanity box in rosewood by Howell, James & Co, dating to 1837 during the late Georgian period and the reign of William IV.

The box is of rectangular form with brass edging and is veneered in rosewood. The lid features a vacant stylised initial plaque, twin circular brass escutcheons and flush mounted brass carrying handles.

The interior is lined in rich red velvet and fitted with a ruched inner lid concealing a secret rear compartment. Inside is a mirror, storage for envelopes and the retailer’s label for Howell, James & Co of Regent Street, London. The fitted interior retains ten cut glass jars with engine turned sterling silver lids, including three examples with pierced silver decoration. The silver is hallmarked London for Thomas Whitehouse and dated 1837. The jars surround a removable fitted tool pad containing mother of pearl handled vanity accessories including a nail file, button hook, pricker, two pairs of scissors, a corkscrew, tweezers and a waxer.Beneath the main tray is additional storage, while a lockable drawer to the front provides further space for jewellery and personal items.

The box is fitted with high quality Bramah locks and remains an excellent example of early nineteenth century vanity cases retailed by Howell, James & Co.

View the full Vanity Box Collection.

Boulle stationery box by Leuchars & Sons, dating to the late nineteenth century during the Victorian period, circa 1880.

The box is of rectangular form with a domed lid and is extensively decorated with inlaid brass and red tortoiseshell boulle work across the exterior. The body is finished with delicate brass edging and a brass escutcheon inset to the front.

When opened, the interior reveals a royal blue lined fitted interior with several partitions designed for storing letters and smaller documents.

The underside of the box is signed Leuchars & Sons, 36 & 39 Piccadilly, London & 2 Rue de la Paix, Paris, reflecting the firm’s presence in both London and Paris during the late nineteenth century.

View our Writing Boxes Collection.

View our Boxes Collection.

Antique oak letter box with clock dial, dating to 1878.

The body is constructed from solid English oak with a cross gable roof and stepped plinth base. The front is fitted with a brass letter aperture with black painted “Letters” beneath, positioned below a circular silvered clock dial with black Roman numerals. The dial is flanked by the initials VR for Victoria Regina.

A glazed hinged door sits below, opening to reveal the interior, which retains its original hook for the clock key. The inside also bears a kitemark dating the piece to the second half of the nineteenth century. The clock movement has been professionally serviced.

Post letter boxes of this type were used in the lobbies of hotels, large country houses and clubs, allowing guests to deposit correspondence for collection. Letters would then be gathered by staff and forwarded for posting.

View the full Antique Boxes Collection.

Literature

Mark Goodger 25th Anniversary Catalogue page 51

Coromandel games compendium, or games box, made for King Edward VII by George Betjemann & Sons and retailed by Drew & Sons, Piccadilly, dating to circa 1905 during the Edwardian period.

The exterior is veneered in coromandel with reinforced rounded corners, nickel strapping across the body and flush mounted twin handles. The lid bears the royal cypher of King Edward VII, with the front fitted with a Bramah lock.

The interior is fully fitted and complete, lined in satinwood. The front section drops down to reveal twin cribbage boards with matching finger scorers. The main body is arranged with pivoting tiers housing a full set of red stained and white chess pieces, a matching draughts set, dice and cribbage counters.

Additional compartments within the lower tiers contain further games including playing cards, bezique counters, gaming counters, dominoes, dice shakers, steeplechase horses and an original roulette wheel. The inside of the lid is fitted with a games board veneered in coromandel, ivory and tulipwood for chess, draughts and backgammon, with a leather steeplechase board to the reverse.

The interior is signed by Drew & Sons, Piccadilly, and stamped for George Betjemann & Sons.

View the full Games Box collection.