Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent ‘Automatic’ Mechanism, by Fisher – Sold

Dating from 1873, this antique jewellery box in Coromandel was designed and manufactured by George Betjemann & Sons, innovators of some of the finest and most creative mechanisms in cabinet-making.

This Betjemann Patent mechanism operates so that as the lid of the box is raised, the two winged side trays and the front panel automatically open out simultaneously; this action is then reversed as the lid is closed.

The interior is finished with blue velvet and moiré silk. The central area of the box houses two removable leather-bound trays. With both trays removed, two small concealed leather-bound drawers behind become accessible.

A ruched velvet panel fitted within the lid can be sprung forward and reversed to display a removable leather-framed mirror. Behind this panel is a gold-tooled retailer’s mark of ‘Fisher – 188 Strand London’.

The mark of ‘Betjemann’s 238’ and ‘Patent 238’ are stamped on the lower hinge mounts of the drop-front panel.

The Bramah lock is fully working and comes with its original Bramah key.