Antique Georgian Miniature Sewing Etui Vellum Sewing Box Marriage Gift Circa 1780

We are very excited to offer this absolutely unique little sewing etui from the last quarter of the 18th century, you will not find another. If you adore George III sewing tools this unusually scarce treasure will be the star of your collection.

This small sewing box is a decorative delight with soooo many beautiful elements to its design. Personalised to the front, this was given as a betrothal gift - as to show such outward romantic intentions with two sets of different initials would be deemed inappropriate in any other circumstances at this period.

The rectangular box is made from 6 sheets of vellum (a very strong flexible material). The joins covered in green silk braid, the front flap made of cream silk satin with gorgeous embroidered green silk thread Vandyke edging. The button hole in the same stitch which secures a little cut steel faceted button. Each vellum face is also edged in gold paper. Three of the vellum faces hold applied different sepia printed romantic vignettes with gold edging . Each scene depicts winged putti. The rear scene shows musical instruments and a song sheet held by a ribboned bow. Beneath the cut steel button is a hand-painted sepia crescent design which incorporates the initials A.E & C.P

One lifts the lid to reveal the interior. Integral to the lid lining are two tool holders, a triangular silk scissor holder and a rectangular bodkin holder with original 18th century gilt bodkin inside, we love the latticed green silk thread decoration. Also stitched to the lid inner hinge is a rectangular wool sheet for needles, again with the same green silk embroidered Vandyke edging. We delve further now into the base of the box, having to part two silk satin leaves again with matching Vandyke embroidered edges. Inside the base we see a silk covered vellum divided compartment to the left. Another similar to the right, divided further with a thimble holding compartment, and an integral silk satin pincushion. The pins have long since disappeared but you can make out from the impressions that they left, the entwined initials AE & CP.

Size: 2 inch tall by 4 inch wide by 2 1/4 inch deep (10.5 cm by 5 cm by 5.5 cm)

Condition: This sewing box is 243 years old, it will not be pristine. The green silk braiding to the edges has faded a little. The vellum has age darkening from hands that have held it over the centuries. The silk front flap has some perishing to the right of the button hole. The wool inner leaf has three old moth holes (moths love wool!). The inner silk covered vellum dividers are missing a top stitch to hold them straight (an easy fix). The silk covered vellum thimble compartment's base has dropped with usage. Please study our many clear images that clearly show age and condition.

ITEM ID:14105