Featured Late Victorian Jewelry Case with Original Trays & Key

The sharp-eyed will notice that the first tray is the wrong way around, and that the right lid-prop is missing.





Everything is original. I haven't done a thing to it, apart from blow out the dust and put oil in the lock.



For this whole thing, I paid $20.



Here it is with some of my jewelry in it. Almost everything in here is either gold, or silver. 9kt to 24kt. Sterling silver. From about 1900-(almost) brand new.

 

That third ring down on the right,is that an opal ?

 

I have no idea. I believe it's Jade. It belonged to my grandmother.



Here's the box after a good scrub-up with some KIWI boot-polish. Could probably do with a second coat on some of the more worn areas, but other than that...looks good!

 

Oh - that brought back a long slumbering memory! My mother had (what she called) a boîte à bijoux very similar to yours, the major difference being her's was red Morocco with her crest in gilt. Nice!

 

I've seen a few boxes like this at the flea market before, but they were all missing keys or trays or were damaged in some way.

I saw one, earlier this year, which was similar to this, but not as elaborate, or complete. It had its key and one tray, but that was about it. It was rather bland and not in as good condition. I almost thought of buying it, and changed my mind.

After that, I regretted it not buying it. Then I saw this!!

And for the price, I just had to have it!

 

It's very nice.
Would you consider it a travelling case ?

 

I think so, yeah. It's got the flat, recessed handle on the top and it's covered in leather. Usually hallmarks of a traveling box. Recessed handles made stacking and storing easier, and the Moroccan leather protected the woodwork underneath.

Of course, that's not set in stone, but that's what my experience with this stuff has taught me.

 

Ah, I should have noted that my mother's was used for traveling, not for every day/home use.

 

My grandmother had a similar, but larger train case...from the teens or 20's I think, which she gave to me, complete with sterling mirror, brush, comb, toothbrush holder, and her initials. Loved it!

 

I've seen a few of those. They're really elaborate. I'd never be able to afford one! Lucky you

Any pictures for a curious public?

 

I've had a few of these, sometimes with the maker or retailers name, most usually shagreen rather than leather.

 

Sorry, no pictures. For one thing, I have no camera equipment. For another, the case got caught in a flood and was totaled.

One of the things I liked very much about the silver set, however, was that the handle of the mirror was a circle, about the size of a teething ring. It was so that the mirror could be hung while traveling, as well as held.

 

Aww. That's a pity...