Description English Boulle Sewing Box by Friedrich Ludwig Hausburg dating to circa 1840. Formed in the classical sarcophagus shape, the box stands on four turned ball feet and is extensively decorated with brass and tortoiseshell boulle inlay. The cutting of the brass scrollwork is precise and confident, set against a rich tortoiseshell ground typical of Hausburg’s mid nineteenth century production. The lid rises in a pagoda profile with brass edging. Each panel is worked with mirrored inlaid scenes of birds, foliage and flowers framed within scrolling borders. The interior is faced in ebony with patterned centre stringing, a recognised detail of the workshop. The inside of the lid retains its inset mirror above a velvet lining embossed with scrollwork. The removable upper tray remains complete with thick mother of pearl reels and lidded compartments, together with a glass bottle and a central tool pad fitted with scissors, pencil, pick, needle case, tweezers and bodkin. The tray lifts out to reveal further storage below. A well preserved mid nineteenth century example retaining its original fitted interior and strong decorative inlay. See more from our Sewing Box Collection. Literature The Exceptional Collection Mark Goodger Antiques Page 10 Friedrich Ludwig Hausburg Hausburg was born in Berlin in 1817. He initially traded with his uncle August Wilhelm Promoli out of Paris specialising in fine jewellery, clocks and other luxury items. Both Hausburg and Promoli became British citizens in 1840 and shortly after their declared address was changed to the Old Post Office Buildings,24 Church Street, Liverpool. Selling British-made and imported home furnishings the business prospered and in 1841 Hausburg took sole ownership of the company. Hausburg continued running the company until his death in 1886. For further information see our Makers and Retailers page on Friedrich Ludwig Hausburg. Boulle Boulle work is a type of rich marquetry or inlay originally perfected by renowned French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle. It involves veneering objects or furniture with tortoiseshell and brass in elaborate designs often incorporating arabesques. It gives the objects an extremely attractive and unique appearance with the red tortoiseshell elegantly complimenting the gold-coloured brass inlay. Tortoiseshell Tortoiseshell describes a type of decorative material made from the shells of certain species of sea turtles. The shells of these turtles are composed of a hard, glossy substance called keratin, which can be cut and shaped into a variety of decorative items. Tortoiseshell has been used for centuries to make a range of decorative objects, including combs, brush handles, and other small items. It is also sometimes used to make tea caddies, as it is strong, durable, and can be polished to a high shine. The term “tortoiseshell” is used to describe these decorative items, even though they are made from the shells of sea turtles because the term has been used historically to refer to this material. If you are purchasing Tortoiseshell or Ivory pieces and are outside the E.U. you must have a CITES certificate in order to import the item into your country. We can obtain these on your behalf at a cost of £50 and these can take up to 14 working days to arrive at our office. Due to the strict exporting rules of these pieces, they may also come with further shipping costs. Please ensure you contact us prior to purchase for a quote. 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.
