A fine example of a beautiful Victorian Vanity Box. The outer of the box is made of the finest quality rosewood with brass banding, brass corners and an inlaid brass cartouche. The lock is stamped "S.Mordan & Co. London"
and it comes with a working key.
The box has a fully fitted interior lined with plush blue velvet and bottles with solid sterling silver tops. There are 13 various glass bottles and pots and the inside of the lid folds down to reveal a mirror behind it and a document pouch with the maker's label "Halstaff and Hannaford. Manufacturers. 228 Regent St".
The main tray lifts out to reveal a shallow leather tray below which also lifts out to reveal a larger storage space beneath to store items such as brushes or combs.
There is a drawer in the bottom of the box which comes with its original working key. It contains a lift up leather box which was most likely used for writing as it is next to a section which holds pens and rulers. This is all lined in matching blue velvet and blue silk to match the rest of the box.
There are various silver hallmarks on the silver tops so it is likely that not all the bottles and or tops are original to the set but they are all London and all date from the early to mid 1800s. There is a family crest of a kneeling figure engraved on the brass cartouche on top of the box and this is also engraved on some of the silver tops.
Overall the vanity box is in good condition for its age and has been very well made and well looked after. There are some signs of age and use and some minor marks but overall it displays beautifully with a lovely patina. Some of the silver lids have small dents and dinks in them and there are some small chips and nibbles around the tops of the bottles but no major damages.
