A fine and rare 17th century William and Mary Oyster veneered marquetry lace box, English Circa 1670-90. The ovolo- moulded and holly banded top is centred by an oval of marquetry depicting spring flowers bordered in oyster veneers finely strung to each side and quartered in a similar fashion, All on a ground of ebony. Interestingly, the leaves that appear white are actually bone and traces of a vibrant green dye can be seen in places. The frieze is decorated to the face and each side with fine oval reserves (plaques) of marquetry and oyster veneered, raised on a cross - grain cut convex moulding. It is very unusual to have these reserves on the ends of a box as it would unusual on a side table.
The interior of the box reveals not only what appears to be a very rare feature of the original Water Silk in it’s near original, unfaded colour but also the original Vauxhall glass mercury mirror plate, with a little foxing and the most wonderful subtle ‘lead/mercury’ grey colouring. The mirror is surrounded in silver braided silk.
The box also retains it’s original hinges, lock and escutcheon. The key has been made to fit later and works well.
This is a very rare and desirable lace box of museum standard and one of the finest that has appeared in recent years.
This box relates to a marquetry table housed in Levans Hall that was supplied by the London cabinet maker Thomas Pistor to James Grantham, a friend and courtier to James, Duke of York. Later James 11, in 1684. These boxes nearly always sat on a table and were made with ‘Pattern repeat’ marquetry relating to ‘their’ table. A rare and beautiful box indeed.
A fine and rare 17th century William and Mary Oyster veneered marquetry lace box, English Circa 1670-90. The ovolo- moulded and holly banded top is centred by an oval of marquetry depicting spring flowers bordered in oyster veneers finely strung to each side and quartered in a similar fashion, All on a ground of ebony. Interestingly, the leaves that appear white are actually bone and traces of a vibrant green dye can be seen in places. The frieze is decorated to the face and each side with fine oval reserves (plaques) of marquetry and oyster veneered, raised on a cross - grain cut convex moulding. It is very unusual to have these reserves on the ends of a box as it would unusual on a side table.
The interior of the box reveals not only what appears to be a very rare feature of the original Water Silk in it’s near original, unfaded colour but also the original Vauxhall glass mercury mirror plate, with a little foxing and the most wonderful subtle ‘lead/mercury’ grey colouring. The mirror is surrounded in silver braided silk.
The box also retains it’s original hinges, lock and escutcheon. The key has been made to fit later and works well.
This is a very rare and desirable lace box of museum standard and one of the finest that has appeared in recent years.
This box relates to a marquetry table housed in Levans Hall that was supplied by the London cabinet maker Thomas Pistor to James Grantham, a friend and courtier to James, Duke of York. Later James 11, in 1684. These boxes nearly always sat on a table and were made with ‘Pattern repeat’ marquetry relating to ‘their’ table. A rare and beautiful box indeed.
