David Edwards Georgian Coromandel Vanity Case - 1828

This is a brass banded and inlaid coromandel travelling dressing case, by the world renown David Edwards, 21 Kings Street, London and 1828 in date based on the silver maker marks. 

The extensively fitted interior contains silver mounted cut glass bottles and jars with 'JS' inscribed in the tops. The initials are inlaid within a circle made of a gold metal. The sterling silver topped jars and bottles have hallmarks for London 1828 and hallmarks for the silversmith Thomas Johnston.

There are two lift-out trays with silver gilt and steel manicure implements, sewing accessories and a range of silver containers. The back section of the tray lifts out to reveal a fuchsia leather lined compartment.

In the lid is a compartment for storing letters and important papers along with a large mirror, which is original to the piece.

This dressing case is made of coromandel wood, an extremely rare wood used only for the highest quality items during the Georgian era.   

The case is fitted with a renown Bramah Locks, complete with its original key. Bramah won a competition and subsequent patent in 1796 for creating an unpickable lock. These locks were expensive and so only used on the high end pieces.

On the maker, David Edwards:

David Edwards was the premier box maker in England from the early 1800s -1850s. He first came to notoriety by producing exceptional military campaign writing slopes. He then expanded into vanity cases and sewing boxes. His work was considered of such high quality that he was granted a Royal Warrant by George IV. He was then appointed, ‘Writing and Dressing Case manufacturer to his most gracious Majesty’, King William IV and finally he was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria.

SIZE
Width:  37 cm
Depth:  26 cm
Height:  13 cm