This small travel box was meant to carry around a ladies most prices possessions when on the road. It was likely made to order, since it is not only fitted with a jewellery slot and two little drawers, but with an extendable interior that displays two cristal perfume bottles!
The outside has been made from burr wood veneer, with a brass handle and lock-and-key. The inside of the lid has a tuffed green silk interior, and the top tray -which cannot be removed- has two ring slots and four compartments for other items.
The box has two hinged doors that each carry a crystal perfume bottle. When the doors are open, two drawers, each with a brass handle and green satin lining, can be opened.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 16 x 17 x 17 cm / 6.30 x 6.30 x 6.70 inches.
Age: Late 19th Century, circa 1880s.
Condition: This box is in antique condition with wear, consistent with its age. Both the exterior and interior have scuffs and marks. The box clearly sat near a window over the years, because the exterior wood veneer has discoloured in places, and the lid has a crack in the veneer from changing temperatures. When you open the box, you get a sense of the colour and shine the veneer originally had, since it remains in far better condition.
The original key is still present, but I've noticed that the lock is not working every time -sometimes you close it, but are still able to open the doors- so I consider it more decorative than practical.
The inside green velvet interior, and especially the ring slots, have wear, which you will see in the pictures. The bottles clearly carried perfume for many years, because even after I've cleaned them, they still have a faint trace of perfume. The box itself also has an antique perfume smell when you open it: some -including myself- will find it charming, but this isn't the box for you if you are not enamoured with antique smells ;).
Please note that this shop is based in the EU. Buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import taxes.