£2995
Dating from 1820, this large antique jewellery box was manufactured and retailed by Wells & Lambe of Cockspur Street, London. It is veneered with kingwood, inlaid with a brass scrollwork perimeter design, and finished with scribed right-angle brass edging and recessed brass side handles.
The interior is lined with violet purple velvet and edged with matching grosgrain silk. A kingwood panel set centrally within the lid section bears the paper manufacturer’s label belonging to Wells & Lambe of 29 Cockspur Street, London.
The independently lockable lower drawer contains a large velvet and silk-lined area.
The Bramah patent lock and lower drawer lock come with their original keys.
The box retains its original leather outer case with sheepskin lining.
Provenance:
This box originally belonged to Laetitia Christine Bonaparte (1804-1871), daughter of Lucien Bonaparte – 1st Prince of Canino and Musignano, niece of Napoléon Bonaparte, and wife of Sir Thomas Wyse. It is likely that the box was given to Laetitia as a wedding gift upon her marriage to Sir Thomas Wyse in 1821. With the date uncertain, it seems to have passed into the hands of Laetitia’s son, William Charles Bonaparte-Wyse (20 January 1826 – 3 December 1892) whose engraved brass plate is inset to the centre of the lid. The mention of ‘captain’ tells us that this box likely became his property after July 1866 when he was commissioned Captain in the 9th Wiltshire Rifle Volunteer Corps.
Width: 35.8cm/ 14” inches
Depth: 25.4cm/ 10” inches
Height: 17.9cm/ 7” inches
Ref: DL412