catalog text
GEORGE III FLAMED MAHOGANY SERPENTINE BOXES ON ANIMAL FEET
England, circa 1780 | the cutlery divider removed, otherwise fine original condition
Item # 403ONQ02L
An absolutely gorgeous pair of George III peiod boxes, they present with a serpentine superstructure executed in brilliant flamed mahogany veneers. Years of handling and careful wear have resulted in a rich patina, the color beautifully preserved for a jewel-like glow in the ruby reds, cognac and autumnal hues under shellac while recesses and the edges by cockbead moldings and hardware are nearly black from grime buildup in the wax layers.
The boxes have no slotting on the interior, so while the form is typically for a "cutlery box" the present pair either had the cutlery slots removed around the time of the creation of the boxes or they are intended as letter/document boxes or for tea and other valuables. Note that the upper edges are nearly black with a roughness that suggests untouched originality of the present form. One box retains early teal paper material over an earlier layer of paper while the other box has remnants of hide glue that likely affixed paper at one point. A final point that suggests they have always been intended for use with documents and valuables, as opposed to being made as cutlery boxes, is the shallow depth of the boxes. Cutlery boxes are usually several inches larger in order to properly accomodate a full set of cutting hardware.
Raised on polished brass "animal paws" and hung with brilliant original polished brass hardware, there are a few replaced screws and also a subtle variation between the bail pulls on the sides of either box. Note the brilliant keyhole escutcheon and clasp, a beautifully formed statement piece that defines the center of the box.
Measurements: 11 3/8" H x 5 3/8" D (not including paw) x 7 7/16" W (not including paws)
Condition Report:
Wonderful old patinated surface with discolorations, wear, shrinkage cracks and blemishes as expected; brilliant patina that is rich with nearly black oxidization in areas of low handling; one box missing some cockbead molding behind the lock on the lid, having a few hairline cracks to the left side of the case (by the foot and left of the bail pull), 1" molding loss on back corner of right side; other box with patched veneer to the front right corner, some filling around the cracked veneers of the lid; no key and locks are untested; original paper on the interior of one mostly gone now with only trace remnants of the teal material and an underlying paper below that; apparently original velour inside the lids. If knife slots ever existed, they have been carefully removed. A very fine presentation in both boxes.