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.

Coromandel vanity box of Lady Elizabeth Lucy Cuffe, of rectangular form with brass bound edges and a fitted interior, dating to the mid nineteenth century.

The exterior is veneered in Coromandel with brass edging, the lid inlaid with a crowned monogram ELC for Lady Elizabeth Lucy Cuffe (née Campbell), Countess of Desart and Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria between 1845 and 1864. The quality of the materials and the presence of the coronet immediately establish the piece within an aristocratic and courtly context.

The interior of the lid is lined in green velvet, embroidered with a Countess coronet and monogram. Set behind is a removable freestanding mirror with a gilt frame, concealing a leather letter case lined in silk. The interior back edge bears the stamp of Ortner and Houle of St James, London, Royal Warrant holders and engravers to Queen Victoria.

The case contains a comprehensive fitted arrangement of fifteen hand cut glass travelling containers, housed within a velvet lined interior. Each is mounted with silver gilt lids surmounted by solid gold Countess coronet and initials. The silver gilt lids are  hallmarked for Tween and Purnell, 1866.

The front folds down to reveal an accoutrements panel containing a further eighteen tools, including a needle case, scissors, corkscrew and a pair of rulers, one in mother of pearl and the other in sterling silver. When opened fully, the side sections extend outward, allowing access to concealed compartments beneath the fitted trays. These include a hand mirror, glove stretcher and shoehorn.

A drawer positioned above the front panel contains brushes and a letter opener, released by pressing the engraved plate to the interior back edge. The lock plate is by Chubb & Son, Royal Warrant holders, and is stamped with registration number 488065.

This vanity box represents the combined work of several specialist makers, brought together in a single commission of high quality and complexity. The direct ownership by Lady Elizabeth Lucy Cuffe, together with her position within the Royal Household, firmly places the piece within the circle of Queen Victoria’s court. We are confident the vanity box was commissioned by Queen Victoria for Lady Cuffe, either as a presentation piece marking her service or possibly as a personal gift.

View our full Vanity Box Collection.

A Louis Vuitton LV Monogram jewellery case of elongated rectangular form, brass mounted and dating to the second half of the twentieth century, circa 1975.

The exterior is finished in the classic Louis Vuitton monogram canvas with brass corner mounts and fittings. The leather carry handle is secured with riveted mounts, each stamped Louis Vuitton. The front retains the traditional Louis Vuitton brass lock engraved LV, Louis Vuitton, Made in France, with the registration number 1291090 surrounding the escutcheon.

Opening the case reveals a fully fitted suede and cushioned interior. The upper removable tray is fitted with partitioned compartments and ring or cufflink bands. Beneath this sits a second removable tray with divided sections, leading to a larger storage compartment below.

To the rear of the fitted trays is the original miniature vanity case with internal mirror. The interior of the lid retains the original Louis Vuitton label numbered 1074647.

A well preserved Louis Vuitton jewellery case retaining its original fittings, label, and fitted interior, representing classic late twentieth century Louis Vuitton travel design.

Sleek Black Canvas

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From our Boxes collection, we are delighted to offer this Vintage Louis Vuitton President Briefcase.

The President Briefcase of traditional slimline rectangular shape wrapped in a sleek black canvas. The case with LV leather mounted handle and riveted mounts all stamped by the manufacturer Louis Vuitton. The case is secured with the renowned Louis Vuitton brass lock marked LV, Louis Vuitton, Made in France and is complete with one key. When opened the case reveals the matching black canvas lining with document pouches and a large storage area in the main body.

The Louis Vuitton Vintage President Briefcase is stamped with the serial number to the inner side of the front dating it to the 21 century 2001 with the Paris (A) manufacture letter and is complete with its original dust jacket signed LV.

For further information on the Louis Vuitton please click here.

Novelty Googley Eyed Fish

From our Accessories collection, we are delighted to offer this Dunhill Aquarium Half-Giant Table Lighter. The Aquarium Lighter with a Silver Plated body features a lucite aquarium body with novelty swimming fish, one side with a larger fish with googly eyes and the other with two fish both swimming around the ocean floor. The Lighter is embossed to the front Dunhill and bears the registration number to the inside of the pivoting arm and the base of the lighter also stamped Dunhill. The Lighter dates to the middle of the 20th century and the Mid-Century Modern period circa 1950.

Measurements (inches) 3.15 x 3.95 x 2.17

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Dunhill Lighters specifically the classic petrol lift arm table lighter was introduced by Dunhill in 1928 running until the introduction of gas in the 1960’s. In the 1950s, Ben Shillingford worked for Dunhill, perfecting the art of carving and painting lucite panels to resemble miniature aquariums. We see today’s finished products here, with some beautifully unique designs making them highly collected.

Dunhill Alfred Dunhill was Born September 30th 1872. From 1890 Dunhill ran a company that sold motoring accessories through mail order under the name Dunhill’s Motorities. In 1902 he opened a shop on Conduit Street, Mayfair which sold clothing and accessories to chauffeurs and their employers. In 1904 he developed the “windshield pipe”, which would allow motorists to smoke whilst driving, and went on to open a tobacconist in St. James in 1907. The shop offered tailored tobacco blends and its success meant that Dunhill could expand to shops in New York and Paris in the 1920’s. With his international ambitions, Dunhill created a modern luxury goods market. In 1921 the company received its first royal warrant, as a tobacconist to Edward Prince of Wales. Dunhill also supplied Winston Churchill and Siegfried Sassoon. In 1924 Dunhill launched the “Unique Lighter” which was the world’s first lighter that could be operated with one hand. Dunhill passed the chairmanship of the company to his son Alfred Henry in 1928.

From our Jewellery Boxes collection, we are pleased to offer this stunning dome-topped Coromandel Jewellery cabinet. The Cabinet of rectangular shape with a domed top veneered in Coromandel with brass fixings including flush-mounted carry handles and shaped escutcheons. The double doors open to reveal three individual drawers with matching flush-mounted brass handles and strong brass hinges located from top to bottom. The drawers lined with Royal Blue Velvet having various storage compartments. The box dating to the 19th century Victorian era circa 1875. We firmly attribute the box to renowned box & tantalus makers Betjemann & Sons due to the woods, quality and characteristics of the cabinet and are confident it came from the workshop of Betjemann.

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The Jewellery Cabinet comes complete with working lock and key.

From our Sewing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Solid Coromandel Anglo Indian and Silver Sewing Box. The Sewing Box of sarcophagus shape made from figured coromandel with Silver mount stood upon four fluted shell feet. The Box with a silver diamond escutcheon, a looped carry handle and a single-handled drawer. When opened the Box reveals a fully fitted interior with stitched yellow silk with a partitioned tray to the body and several slip compartments to the inside of the lid. The top tray lifts out to allow access to further storage below. To the front of the Sewing Box, a drawer pulls forward to access further storage. The feet are hallmarked to the underside with barely legible marks. The box dates to the 19th century circa 1830 late Georgian period.

The Jewellery box of rectangle form with brass stringing to the border of each side. The lid with a beautiful inlaid decoration having mother of pearl and brass work below a central dragon figure. The front of the box fitted with a bell shaped escutcheon. When opened the interior reveals its original red lining and brass fixings with a large lock plate. The Jewellery Box dates to the first half of the 19th century Louis Philippe I (1830-1848) circa 1845.

The Case of typical rectangular design with substantial carry handle finished in Brown Crocodile Leather to the exterior with visible scaling pattern. The case closes securely via the two brass clasps and can be locked via the key to secure the contents. The interior of the case has been lined in a silk paisley fabric to compliment the quality finish of the exterior and is complete with its original protective travel canvas dust jacket.

CHANEL Vintage Lambskin Purse Clutch Fringe Tassel CC Logo C.1990 W/Box

A beautiful timeless CHANEL wallet-purse-clutch in brown leather. Beautifully handcrafted in flat leather lambskin partially quilted front and back. A logo flap front with a double stitched CC logo, gold metal plated hardware. The interior is lined with lambskin leather and the pockets with red Moire fabric. One zipped compartment under the flap, four card slots and two note slots. Magnetic snap closure, zipper decorated with a large leather and gold tone fringe-tassel. Can be worn as a clutch and/or as a shoulder bag by passing a strap-chain inside and as a belt bag. A lovely camera style piece to carry any time of the day or night. A ‘Must-Have’ timeless Chanel purse-wallet-clutch in your wardrobe!