CHAPTER 10: IVORY

Figure 10.1: Ivory caddy, c. 1790. Ivory veneer on thin mahogany carcass; stained horn stringing; broader band of horn around lower edge; silver plaque with engraved crest and initials; silver drop-loop handle, escutcheon and single hinge; base lined with green baize; interior lined throughout with tinfoil; inner lid sycamore with turned bone knob. Height 13.9 cm (5 ½ in); width 12.7 cm (5 in); depth 7.9 cm (3 1/8 in). Victoria de Rin, Rogers de Rin Antiques, Chelsea, London 

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Figure 10.2: Chinese ivory chest, c. 1760. Panels of ivory with under-cut carving of flowers, foliage, buildings, figures and animals; Chinese silver handle, lockplate and single long hinge; interior with wooden linings covered with red velvet trimmed with silver braid; two compartments (canisters missing). Height 10.8 cm (4 ¼ in); width 23.5 cm (9 ¼ in); depth 11.4 cm (4 ½ in). Private collection 

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Figure 10.3: Indian (Vizagapatam) ivory chest, c. 1790-1800. Sandalwood carcass with ivory veneer enhanced with incised black lac decoration; all surfaces with panels of architectural scenes within borders of floral and foliate decoration; bracket feet; silver hinges; interior with one long and three square compartments (contents now missing); lined throughout with red velvet. Height 16.5 cm (6 ½ in); width 27.9 cm (11 in); depth 16.5 cm (6 ½ in). Mark Goodger Antiques, Northamptonshire 

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Figure 10.5: Chinese ivory and rosewood chest, c. 1790-1800. Rosewood chest inset with panels of fret-carved ivory with red foil beneath; panels carved with flowers and foliage within borders of fine trelliswork; Chinese silver handle with imitation British hallmarks; silver escutcheon, ball feet and hinges; base of polished rosewood; underside of lid lined with (replacement) red brocade; interior with three compartments lined with red silk; three British glass canisters with cut shoulders and flat, cork-mounted silver lids with ring handles. Height 12.5 cm (5 in); width 23 cm (9 1/8 in); depth 12 cm (4 ¾ in). Private collection 

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Figure 10.6: Chinese ivory chest, c. 1750. Panels of ivory with under-cut carving of birds, flowers, foliage, pagodas and figures; Chinese silver lockplate with initials ‘J H’ with star above; silver corner mounts and hinges; interior lined with blue silk velvet, that on underside of lid padded and trimmed with silver braid; single interior compartment containing two silver tea canisters with cap lids and sliding bases, and circular covered sugar bowl, all engraved on front with armorials and maker’s mark of Samuel Taylor, London. Height 11.7 cm (4 5/8 in); width 23.8 cm (9 3/8 in); depth 11.7 cm (4 5/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 10.7: Chinese ivory chest with protective wooden case, c. 1740. Panels of ivory with under-cut carving of flowers and foliage; silver handle on lid (probably Chinese); silver hinges, lock and key; plain ivory base; interior with three compartments for canisters, lined throughout with green silk velvet trimmed with silver braid; three silver canisters by Augustine Courtauld, 1739/40 (see Chapter 17: Silver, Figure 17.12); tulipwood-veneered protective case with brass handle, probably British-made. Height 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in); width 18.4 cm (7 ¼ in); depth 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in). Partridge Ltd, London 

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Figure 10.8: Indian (Vizagapatam) rosewood chest, c. 1760-70. Solid rosewood with broad bands of inlaid ivory floral motifs enhanced with incised black lac decoration; ivory; shallow rosewood bracket feet; silver handle, escutcheon and hinges; interior rosewood with three compartments (canisters missing). Height 19 cm (7 ½ in); width 27 cm (10 5/8 in); depth 16.1 cm (6 3/8 in). Private collection  

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Figure 10.9: Indian (Vizagapatam) rosewood chest, c. 1790-1800. Solid rosewood with bands of ivory on edges and neoclassical-style ivory inlay on front and lid, all enhanced with incised black lac decoration; single silver drop-loop handle and small silver escutcheon; rosewood interior with two compartments containing wooden canisters with hinged lids, each with wood inlay of shell motif (probably imported ready-made from Britain); inlaid ivory patera on underside of main lid. Height 15.2 m (6 in); width 21.2 cm (11 ½ in); depth 19 cm (7 ½ in). Mark Goodger Antiques, Northamptonshire

Figure 10.10: Indian (Vizagapatam) ivory chest, c. 1790. Wooden carcass with ivory veneer enhanced with incised black lac decoration; all surfaces with bands of architectural scenes within borders of floral and foliate decoration; bracket feet; English silver handle on lid with initials ‘I.H.’, possibly for the maker, John Holloway; interior with two compartments lined with red velvet trimmed with natural-coloured braid; underside of lid lined with red Morocco paper (probably later); two silver canisters with marks for Crespin Fuller, London, 1798, and bearing the initials ‘WM’ beneath the locks and the inscription ‘made of silver, presented by the Emperor of China at Pekin’. Height 17.1 cm (6 ¾ in); width 27.2 cm (10 ¾ in); depth 15.2 cm (6 in). Private collection 

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Figure 10.11: Indian (Vizagapatam) ivory chest, c. 1825-30. Cedarwood carcass with ivory veneer with narrow borders enhanced with incised floral and foliate black lac decoration; silver mounts with marks for R.W. Atkins and W.N. Somersall, London, 1828, including finial in the shape of a fox on lid, ring handles on sides, large escutcheon, and three hinges; interior with three compartments containing two wooden canisters with lac-decorated ivory lids and British cut-glass sugar bowl; plain cedarwood on underside of lid. Height 14.9 cm (5 7/8 in); width 31 cm (12 ¼ in); depth 15.5 cm (6 1/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 10.12: Two ivory caddies, c. 1790. Each with ivory veneer on thin pine carcass; tortoiseshell stringing; broader band of tortoiseshell around lower edge; silver drop-loop handle. Left: front and sides inset with silver-framed blue and white jasper cameos with classical figures; small silver plaque on front of lid (not engraved); silver escutcheon and single hinge; base covered with green baize; interior, including inner lid, lined with tinfoil. Right: silver plaque with toothed border and engraved initials; silver escutcheon and single hinge; base covered with black Morocco paper. Measurements of both caddies: height 12 cm (4 ¾ in); width 9.2 cm (3 5/8 in); depth 6.6 cm (2 5/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 10.13: Ivory caddy, c. 1780-90. Ribbed ivory veneer on thin pine carcass; tortoiseshell stringing; broader band of tortoiseshell around lower edge (upper horizontal stringing on lid beaded); inset silver shield engraved with initials; silver drop-loop handle, escutcheon and single hinge; base lined with (replacement) baize; interior lined throughout (including inner lid) with tinfoil; small silver drop-loop handle on inner lid. Height 13.9 cm (5 ½ in); width 10.8 cm (4 ¼ in); depth 7.3 cm (2 7/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 10.14: Ivory caddy, c. 1780-90. Ivory veneer on thin mahogany carcass; tortoiseshell stringing; broader band of tortoiseshell around lower edge; front panel with gold piqué work spandrels and gold-framed coloured miniature of classical figures painted on ivory; small gold plaque on front of lid; gold drop-loop handle, escutcheon and single hinge; interior with two compartments. Height 12.7 cm (5 in); width 16 cm (6 2/5 in); depth 9.4 cm (3 ¾ in). (Calvert Wardley sale, 1984, Lot No. 97). Phillips (auctioneers), London 

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Figure 10.15: Ivory caddy, c. 1780-90. Ivory veneer on thin mahogany carcass; stained bone stringing; broader band of bone around base; front panel with silver piqué work spandrels and silver-framed grisaille painting on ivory of classical scene showing a woman with two children, probably after Adam Buck; small silver plaque on front of lid; silver drop-loop handle, escutcheon and single engraved hinge; interior with two compartments with inner lids veneered with tortoiseshell and fitted with small silver drop-loop handles; underside of main lid lined with tinfoil. Height 13.3 cm (5 ¼ in); width 14.9 cm (5 7/8 in); depth 8.8 cm (3 ½ in). IV.16a: IV.16b: Private collection 

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Figure 10.16: Ivory caddy, c. 1780-90. Ivory veneer on thin pine carcass; tortoiseshell stringing; broader band of tortoiseshell around lower edge; front panel with silver piqué work and silver-framed jasper cameo of classical figure with lyre; lid decorated with piqué work star in silver and mother-of-pearl; small silver plaque on front of lid; silver drop-loop handle, escutcheon and single hinge; base covered with baize (replacement); interior with single compartment re-lined with marbled paper. Height 10.7 cm (4 1/8 in); width 11 cm (4 3/8 in); depth 6.9 cm (2 ¾ in). Private collection 

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Figure 10.17: Ivory caddy, c. 1780-90. Ribbed ivory veneer secured on thin wooden carcass with small gold pins; gold rope-twist vertical stringing on front panel, with tortoiseshell stringing elsewhere; broader band of tortoiseshell around lower edge; most panels bearing gold-framed jasper cameos showing classical scenes (impressed ‘WEDGWOOD’ on reverse); gold drop-loop handle, escutcheon and single hinge; base painted black; interior lined throughout with tinfoil; interior with single compartment with inner lid covered with tinfoil and fitted with small silver drop-loop handle. Height 13.9 cm (5 ½ in); width 10.8 cm (4 ¼ in); depth 8.2 cm (3 ¼ in). Witney Antiques, Witney 

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Figure 10.18: Ivory caddy, c. 1780-90. Ivory veneer on thin pine carcass; tortoiseshell stringing; broader band of tortoiseshell around lower edge; front panel with gold piqué work and gold shield engraved with crest of bird; lid divided by stringing into quarters, with central star-shaped gold and mother-of-pearl piqué work; gold drop-loop handle, escutcheon and single hinge; interior lined throughout with tinfoil; two compartments with lids with red gold drop-loop handles. Height 12 cm (4 ¾ in); width 15.5 cm (6 1/8 in); depth 8.9 cm (3 ½ in). Private collection 

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Figure 10.19: Ivory caddy, c. 1790. Ivory veneer with faceted cut steel decoration; tortoiseshell stringing; broader band of tortoiseshell around lower edge; front panel with coloured miniature of classical figures, covered with glass and framed with cut steel; silver drop-loop handle, escutcheon and single hinge; interior with single compartment with wooden inner lid with silver drop-loop handle, all previously lined with tinfoil. Height 12.7 cm (5 in); width 13.9 cm (5 ½ in); depth 8.9 cm (3 ½ in). Mark Goodger Antiques, Northamptonshire 

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Figure 10.20: Ivory caddy, c. 1815-20. Ivory veneer on pine carcass; polychrome painted decoration of Chinese scenes and flowering foliage set within scrolling gilt borders; cavetto moulding on lid veneered with tortoiseshell (possibly later); turned ivory ball feet; base plain wood; underside of main lid lined with pink velvet; interior with two compartments with ivory-veneered lids decorated with gilding. Height 12 cm (4 ¾ in); width 17.1 cm (6 ¾ in); depth 8.9 cm (3 ½ in). (The late collection of Robert Harman Cannell). Private collection 

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Figure 10.21: Ivory caddy, c. 1860. Ivory veneer on pine carcass; all edges with abalone stringing; lid inscribed in black with name Phoebe within garter device; silver escutcheon, lock and hinges; bun feet, possibly boxwood; base covered with maroon impressed patterned paper; underside of main lid lined with dark green velvet; interior with two compartments with ivory-veneered and abalone-strung inner lids fitted with turned ivory knobs. Height 12 cm (4 ¾ in); width 20.1 cm (7 15/16 in); depth 12.5 cm (4 15/16 in). Private collection 

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Figure 10.22; Ivory caddy, c. 1860. Ivory veneer on pine carcass; silver rope-twist stringing between panels; large silver escutcheon; rectangular silver plaque on lid, engraved Elsie; single silver hinge; ivory ball feet; base covered with paper with fawn paper with green pattern; underside of main lid lined with blue velvet. Height 8.9 cm (3 ½ in); width 11.4 cm (4 ½ in); depth 7.6 cm (3 in). J. de Haan & Son, Suffolk 

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Figure 10.23: Ivory and silver ‘tusk’ caddy, dated 1890. Made from elephant’s tusk, cut transversely; outer side of ivory in natural state; interior polished; silver lid with ivory and silver knob; silver banding at top and base; silver with mark for John Round, Sheffield, 1890. Height 12 cm (4 ¾ in); width 14 cm (5 ½ in). Fine Antique Boxes (Tony and the late June Stone)

Figure 10.25: Ivory and tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1780. ‘Harlequin’ pattern of ivory and tortoiseshell veneered on pine carcass; green-stained ivory stringing; broader band of ivory around lower edge; gold drop-loop handle; interior with single compartment, lined throughout with tinfoil; pine inner lid with small gold drop-loop handle. Height 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in); width 12.7 cm (5 in); depth 7.6 cm (3 in). J. de Haan & Son, Suffolk 

Figure 10.27: Trunk-shaped caddy, c. 1875. Pine carcass veneered in walnut; strapwork decoration of ivorine over-laid on brass and secured with large brass studs; brass lock and hinges; walnut veneer on underside of main lid; ebonised inner rims; interior with two compartments with walnut-veneered lids fitted with small ebonised wooden knobs. Height 15.2 cm (6 in); width 17.8 cm (7 in); depth 11.4 cm (4 ½ in). Courtesy of Eastbourne Auctions