Vanity Box by Mappin & Webb in Coromandel with Sterling Silver

Description Vanity Box by Mappin & Webb in Coromandel with Sterling Silver dated 1854. The vanity box is of rectangular form extensively veneered in exotic coromandel and edged throughout with brass, incorporating double brass stringing to both the lid and front with a raised escutcheon to the centre. Opening the vanity box reveals a complete fitted interior comprising seventeen glass bottles topped with engraved sterling silver lids hallmarked for James Vickery, London, 1854. The quality of silver mounted fittings reflects the mid nineteenth century standard expected from a luxury retailer such as Mappin & Webb. The front panel folds down to reveal wing compartments which pivot outward through 180 degrees. Within sits a comprehensive mother of pearl handled tool pad incorporating a shoehorn, penknife, thread hook, multiple pairs of scissors, tweezers, file, needle and pricker. Beneath the tool pad is a concealed compartment accessed by depressing the retailer’s plaque positioned along the rear edge of the case. The retailer’s plaque reads: Mappin & Webb, Sheffield 158 to 162 Oxford Street & Mansion House Buildings London. With the wings extended, additional concealed drawers can be accessed by removing the rectangular jars positioned to the rear and depressing the back edge of each compartment base, activating a spring loaded latch mechanism. The underside of the lid houses a removable mirror bordered with gold tooling, designed to stand independently on its bracket. Behind the mirror is a further concealed compartment suitable for storing correspondence or documents. A fully fitted mid nineteenth century coromandel vanity box by Mappin & Webb combining complex mechanical compartments with sterling silver mounted fittings dated 1854. View the full Vanity Box Collection. View the full Silver Collection. Mappin & Webb was founded in 1775 by Jonathan Mappin who opened a silver workshop in Sheffield over the years Mappin & Webb gained worldwide recognition for their quality silverware and jewellery which is still standing today. They hold Royal Warrants and their master craftsmen also serve as Crown Jewellers, the custodian of the British Crown Jewels responsible for preparing them for the State Opening of Parliament and other state occasions. For further information see our Makers and Retailers profile on Mappin & Webb. James Vickery James Vickery was a London silversmith active from the mid nineteenth century, first registering his mark at the London Assay Office in 1851 from Woodbridge Street, Clerkenwell. He specialised in producing sterling silver fittings for high quality dressing cases and vanity boxes, with his hallmarks most commonly found on engraved silver lids fitted to cut glass bottles. His recorded working addresses include King Square, Goswell Road and later Stoke Newington, with a further mark entered in 1880. For further information see our Makers and Retailers profile on James Vickery. Coromandel is a valuable wood found in India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. It has a contrasting hazel-brown colour with black grain. It is a dense, heavy wood that is so popular it has been logged to extinction over the last few hundred years. For further information see our Woods Encyclopaedia on Coromandel. Mother of Pearl is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. It is the same material that natural pearls are made from and is desirable due to its strong and resilient makeup along with its beautiful iridescent shimmer. Why Buy from Mark Goodger Antiques? With over thirty five years of specialist experience, Mark Goodger Antiques is recognised internationally as a leading authority in antique boxes and related works of art. Every item offered has been personally selected by Mark, whose knowledge and judgement are trusted by collectors, institutions, museums, interior designers, and fellow dealers worldwide. Every purchase is supplied with a full supporting package for clarity and reassurance. This includes a Certificate of Authenticity, a detailed condition and care guide specific to your item, our most recent catalogue, and a separate invoice suitable for insurance and valuation purposes. Each piece is carefully examined prior to sale to ensure accuracy of description and quality. Your purchase is fully insured during transit and protected by our straightforward money back guarantee, allowing you to buy with complete confidence. We pride ourselves on transparency, expertise, and long term relationships with our clients, many of whom return to us repeatedly over decades. When you buy from Mark Goodger Antiques, you are purchasing from a specialist family business built on knowledge, trust, and an unrivalled focus on antique boxes.