Antique Amboyna Jewellery Box with Tiered Interior

Description Veneered in Golden Amboyna  An antique Amboyna jewellery box of cabinet form, veneered throughout in richly figured Amboyna and bordered with tulipwood cross-banding. Raised on a plinth base with rectangular ebony feet, the box displays the strong contrast and grain pattern that made Amboyna one of the most desirable decorative woods of the nineteenth century. The jewellery box opens by lifting the concealed front panel above the escutcheon, revealing the upper storage compartments. Inside, a tiered arrangement of cantilevered trays swings outward smoothly, allowing each section to be accessed independently while keeping the contents neatly organised. This practical design reflects the growing demand for structured jewellery storage during the late nineteenth century. The interior is finely finished in satinwood with ebony stringing and tulipwood banding, while the inside of the lid is lined in deep blue velvet suitable for protecting jewellery, watches, and small personal items. Amboyna jewellery boxes were produced in limited numbers due to the difficulty of working the dense burr timber, and surviving examples with complex tiered interiors are increasingly sought after by collectors. This example dates to the late nineteenth century, around 1880, when decorative cabinet boxes of this quality were made for the upper tiers of the Victorian market. Measurements (inches) 9.84 High x 13.4 Wide x 7.87 Deep Amboyna also known as Andaman Padauk, Maiou or Narra grows in parts of East Asia (Malaysia, the Philippines and Borneo) and is often golden brown to red brown in colour with red grain. It is a firm wood with wavy and often interlocking grain making it difficult to work with hand tools, despite this it turns well and produces a high polish. The Burr from these trees varies in colour from a golden yellow to a deep red with sharp, close burr pips. It is very sought after and used for only the finest furniture. For further information see our Woods Encyclopaedia on Amboyna. Ebony is often almost completely black with very little visible grain often with a subtle red/purple hue. This wood is very expensive due to the slow-growing trees which can often be gnarly affecting the yield of straight workable wood. Most ebonies are very dense making work with hand tools very difficult and can quickly clunt cutting tools. This density however offers an excellent finish on turned items. For further information see our Woods Encyclopaedia on Ebony. Tulipwood is also known as Brazilian Tulipwood, Brazilian Pinkwood and Bahia Rosewood. It is found in South America, mainly Brazil. The colour is warm yellow with streaks or brown-red grain. For further information see our Woods Encyclopaedia on Tulipwood. Satinwood is found in India and Sri Lanka. It has a rich golden colour and an almost reflective sheen. Satinwood is traditionally used for high quality furniture. For further information see our Woods Encyclopaedia on Satinwood. Victorian Victorian period an era of British History corresponding approximately with the reign of Queen Victoria from the 20th of June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901 however, there are arguments stating that the Victorian era is actually from 1820 until 1914 proceeded by Georgian era and followed by the Edwardian era. Jewellery / Jewelery / Jewelry In the UK and Australia the English spelling rule states that the final consonant of a word should be doubled when its added suffix begins with a vowel. Therefore the spelling ‘jewellery’ is used. This rule usually applies to instances where the final syllable ends with a vowel followed by a single consonant such as: Jeweller. The spelling variation ’Jewelry’ is thought to have had some popularity as a preferred ‘poetic’ or ‘rhetorical’ spelling in British English. ‘Jewellery and Jewelery’ is used in the US, the confusion continues with the correct spelling variant being ’Jewelery’ according to the Oxford English Dictionary. 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.