Stunning Brass Bound Well Figured Coromandel Ladies or Gentleman's Jewellery Casket of generous size, manuefactured by one of the most respected English Cabinet Makers W. Leuchars & Co. active in business at Picadilly London during the Nineteenth Century. Shortly after this Casket was made Luchars were taken over by luxury goods makers and retailers Aspreys in Bond Street.
Circa third quarter of the Nineteenth Century.
The casket has fitted sectional interior and is superbly lined with shimmering dark burgundy velvet which contrasts with the original gold plating on the inside metalwork. The lower secret drawer is also fitted with a working lock and key.
Condition: Superb untouched condition, no wear to velvet linings, original working brass lock stamped J. Bramah Piccadilly as well as its original Bramah key which is used to open both locks.
Width: 13.25" (33.5cm). Depth: 9.5" (24cm). Height: 7.25" (18.5cm).
Item Sold.
Coromandel: also known as Makassar Ebony, is variegated, streaky brown and black, nearly always wide striped. It is considered a highly valuable wood for turnery, fine cabinet work and joinery.
The tree grows up to 20 meters under favourable circumstances, although such trees are rarely seen nowadays. Since Coromandel ebony has been a woodworkers favourite for centuries, most of it has been felled and used in high quality furniture. The natural area of distribution are some Indonesian islands. As this exceptionally beautiful species of the Ebonies has been much appreciated by woodworkers all over the world through the past two centuries it has now become a very scarce and expensive timber. The small available amounts on the market have led to very high prices, Makassar ebony nowadays belongs to the highest priced timbers on the world, the region of growth is quite restricted. This is a very nice example in this rare wood.