A very fine quality George IV brass-bound rosewood travelling jewelry and letters box, by David Edwards of London, maker to the Royal Household, circa 1828
Dating from around 1828, this antique jewelry & letters box was manufactured and retailed by one of London's finest box makers, David Edwards, whose clientele included the King and other members of the Royal family. It is veneered in finely figured Rosewood, edged in brass, finished with recessed brass bale handles and a sumptuous cushioned and velvet-lined interior. The Jewelry Box comes complete with original working Bramah lock & key, and is signed in three locations by the Maker.
The cushioned and velvet-lined panel in the underside of the lid drops forward to reveal a concealed leather-bound letter wallet which bears a David Edwards decorative paper trade label, as well as an embossed, gold-tooled maker's mark. The original paper trade label reads: 'D. Edwards manufacture of Writing & Dressing Cases To His Majesty, The Duke of York & c. No. 21 King Street, Bloomsbury Square / Old Desks, Dressing Cases & c. repaired or exchanged for new / NB Cut Glass, Silver - Fine Cutlery &c.'
The leather documents & stationary compartment is embossed 'Edwards 21 King Strt Holburn'
The underside of the lid is also stamped 'Edwards 21 King Strt Holburn' on the interior mahogany panel.
Description
Of rectangular form with fine brass edging and a double row of brass stringing, with vacant flush flower shaped cartouche to the top, and very fine brass flush bale handles to the sides, lined to the interior with royal blue velvet and fitted to the underside of the lid with an accordion document folder and stationary compartment bearing the makers label, the interior border of the lid with decorative gilt tooled leather.
The main body is fitted with three deep cushioned and velvet lined jewelry and watch compartments, one long velvet-lined jewel compartment, all above a cushioned and blue velvet-lined shallow locking drawer to the base which can only be accessed once the main lid is unlocked, the shallow drawer opened with the same key using a second lock escutcheon and being activated by two push pin locks in the main compartment above.
A George IV brass-bround rosewood jewelry & letters box by David Edwards, 1828
PRICE UPON REQUEST.
BARASET HOUSE FINE ART
416 666 6295
info@barasethouse.com
Additional information
David Edwards was a renowned Cabinet maker from London holding a Royal Warrant specialising in Dressing Cases & Writing Slopes. Edwards established his cabinetmaking business in 1813 based at 84 St James’s Street, London. He remained at this address for only a year before moving to 21 King Street, Holborn, London across from Bloomsbury Square. The firm earned the Royal Warrant from George IV, William IV and Queen Victoria.
Edwards won a prize medal for ‘excellence of workmanship’ for dressing cases and writing boxes at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1858 Edwards was absorbed into the renowned firm of Asprey.