CHAPTER 11: TORTOISESHELL

Figure 11.1: Tortoiseshell chest, c. 1768. Tortoiseshell veneer on red-painted oak carcass; silver handle, corner mounts, escutcheon, hinges and feet; carcass exposed on base; underside of lid covered with green velvet; interior with three compartments containing pair of silver tea canisters and sugar box with marks for Smith & Sharp, London, 1768. A Victorian copy of this chest is illustrated in Chapter 17: Silver, Figure 17.45. Height 18.7 cm (7 ½ in); width 28.6 cm (11 ¼ in); depth 13 cm (5 1/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.2: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1790. Tortoiseshell veneer on wooden carcass; ivory stringing with broader band of ivory around base; gold drop-loop handle with surrounding mother-of-pearl piqué work star; gold escutcheon above gold shield with gold and mother-of-pearl piqué work; single gold hinge decorated with chasing; base covered with worn blue velvet (probably not original); single interior compartment with tortoiseshell-veneered lid with ivory knob. Height 10.8 cm (4 ¼ in); width 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in); depth 7 cm (2 ¾ in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.3: Tortoiseshell chest, c. 1771. Tortoiseshell veneer on red-painted wooden carcass; horizontal edges bordered with ivory; vertical edges with silver leaf mounts; silver handle on backplate engraved with crest; silver escutcheon and feet; interior lined with blue silk bordered with silver braid; interior containing four silver teaspoons, silver sugar tongs, and two urn-shaped silver canisters with marks for Burrage Davenport, London, 1771; canisters with central cartouche engraved with coat of arms of Bradney, with those of Mico quartering Child. Height 16.2 cm (6 3/8 in); width 24.1 cm (9 ½ in); depth 15.9 cm (6 ¼ in). (Formerly in the Mulliner Collection) Hotspur, London 

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Figure 11.4: Tortoiseshell chest, c. 1770. Tortoiseshell veneer on red-painted wooden carcass; silver mounts on all edges; silver handle on backplate engraved with crest of orange tree in a tub; silver feet and escutcheon; interior lined with blue silk bordered with silver braid; two interior compartments containing silver canisters with mark of Edward Darvill, London, and bearing the same crest. Height 15.9 cm (6 ¼ in); width 18.4 cm (7 ¼ in); depth 12.1 cm (4 ¾ in). Ulla Stafford Antiques, Binfield 

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Figure 11.5: Tortoiseshell chest, c. 1774. Tortoiseshell veneer on red-painted wooden carcass; silver mounts on all edges; silver handle on backplate; silver feet and escutcheon; interior lined with blue silk bordered with silver braid; two interior compartments containing silver canisters with marks for Edward Darvill, London, 1774. Apart from design of the silver escutcheon and the backplate for the handle on the lid, this chest appears identical to that in Figure 11.4. Height 15.9 cm (6 ¼ in); width 18.4 cm (7 ¼ in); depth 12.1 cm (4 ¾ in). Private collection  

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Figure 11.6: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1800. Tortoiseshell veneer on pine carcass; ivory stringing with broader band of ivory around base; silver drop-loop handle; silver escutcheon above oval silver plaque engraved with the letter ‘P’; silver piqué work on front and lid; single long silver hinge stamped THOMPSON; base covered with black Morocco paper; single interior compartment with wooden lid with silver drop-handle. Height 11.7 cm (4 5/8 in); width 9.8 cm (3 7/8 in); depth 7.3 cm (2 7/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.9: Tortoiseshell caddy, dated 1789. Tortoiseshell veneer on wooden carcass; ivory stringing with broader band of ivory around base; silver drop-loop handle, escutcheon and single hinge; silver plaque bearing initials ‘MS’ and date 1789, surrounded by silver piqué work; base covered with green baize; single interior compartment with no lid. Height 9.8 cm (3 7/8 in); width 11.4 cm (4 ½ in); depth 7.6 cm (3 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.10: Tortoiseshell caddy with shagreen case, c. 1775. Tortoiseshell veneer on red-painted wooden carcass; silver mounts on all edges; silver cartouche on lid engraved with crest; silver escutcheon; underside of lid lined with green velvet bordered with silver braid; single interior compartment; tortoiseshell-veneered inner lid with silver knob; protective case covered with shagreen; gilt-metal drop-loop handle. Height 10.5 cm (4 1/8 in); width 10.2 cm (4 in); depth (of caddy) 10.2 cm (4 in). Mark Goodger Antiques, Northamptonshire 

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Figure 11.11: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1790. Ribbed tortoiseshell veneer on mahogany carcass; ivory stringing with broader band of ivory around base; silvered metal drop-loop handle, escutcheon, shield and single hinge; boxwood-veneered inner rims; base covered with (replacement) baize; single interior compartment with no inner lid. Height 11.4 cm (4 ½ in); width 9.8 cm (3 7/8 in); depth 7 cm (2 ¾ in). Private collection  

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Figure 11.12: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1790. Ribbed tortoiseshell veneer on pine carcass; ivory stringing with broader band of ivory around base; silver-framed jasper plaque on front; silver drop-loop handle, escutcheon and single hinge; interior lined throughout out with tinfoil; single compartment with no inner lid. Height 12.7 cm (5 in); width 10.2 cm (4 in); depth 7 cm (2 ¾ in). Richard Gardner Antiques, Chichester 

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Figure 11.13: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1800. Tortoiseshell veneer on green-painted pine carcass; ivory stringing with narrow boxwood border around base; brass drop-loop handle (probably originally silvered); silver escutcheon and ‘buttons’; brass hinges; boxwood-veneered inner rims; base covered with (replacement) green baize; underside of lid lined with red velvet; single interior compartment but with ‘double-lid’ with two bone knobs and central silver drop-loop handle. Height 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in); width 17.1 cm (6 ¾ in); depth 10.2 cm (4 in). (The late collection of Robert Harman Cannell) Private collection 

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Figure 11.14: Tortoiseshell caddy; c. 1820. Blonde tortoiseshell veneer on gessoed pine carcass; ivory stringing; ‘matched’ pieces of tortoiseshell on front panel; silver plaque on lid engraved with letter ‘D’; silver escutcheon; carcass exposed on base (baize missing); underside of lid lined with red velvet; interior with two compartments with lids with tortoiseshell-veneered lids with ivory knobs. Height 10.8 cm (4 ¼ in); width 18.7 cm (7 3/8 in); depth 9.8 cm (3 7/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.16: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1825, similar to that shown in advertisement in Figure 11.15. Tortoiseshell veneer, impressed on front and front of lid, on oak carcass; silver stringing; silver plaque and escutcheon; silvered hinges, feet and knob; base covered with green baize; ivory-veneered inner rims, underside of lid lined with pink velvet; two interior compartments with tortoiseshell-veneered lids with ivory knobs. Height 16.5 cm (6 ½ in); width 16.5 cm (6 ½ in); depth 10.2 cm (4 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.17: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1840. Tortoiseshell veneer on wooden carcass, inlaid on front with mother-of pearl with black incised decoration; ivory stringing around lid; silver escutcheon engraved with initial ‘R’; silver escutcheon; silvered ball feet; ivory-veneered inner rims; underside of lid lined with pink velvet; two interior compartments with tortoiseshell-veneered lids with ivory knobs. Height 16.8 cm (6 5/8 in); width 16.8 cm (6 5/8 in); depth 10.5 cm (4 1/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.18: Tortoiseshell chest with retailer’s label, c. 1820. Tortoiseshell veneer on pine carcass; pewter stringing with narrow band of horn around base; plain silver plaque on lid; pressed brass lion’s mask ring handles at sides; cast gilt-brass feet; silver escutcheon and hinges; base covered with original green baize; underside of main lid lined with red velvet; horn-veneered inner rims; three interior compartments, two at sides lined with mahogany, and central well for sugar bowl lined with red velvet; tapering canisters with tortoiseshell-veneered hinged lids, their sides veneered with mahogany below a deep band of tortoiseshell; left-hand canister bearing label for ‘DUNNETT’S – Toy and Tunbridge Ware Repository, No. 3 Cheapside, London’. Height 17.8 cm (7 in); width 30.5 cm (12 in); depth 10.2 cm (4 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.19: Tortoiseshell chest, c. 1830. Tortoiseshell veneer on mahogany carcass; silver stringing with narrow band of ivory around base; silver plaque engraved with coat of arms on lid; silver escutcheon and hinges; lock impressed LUND Cornhill LONDON; pressed brass feet; base covered with dark green mottled paper; ivory-veneered inner rims; underside of lid lined with ruched red velvet; three interior compartments, two lined on their floors with dark red embossed paper and containing tapered mahogany canisters with tortoiseshell-veneered lids and sides veneered with rosewood below a deep band of tortoiseshell; central compartment, lined with red velvet, containing cut-glass sugar bowl. Height 18.4 cm (7 ¼ in); width 29.8 cm (11 ¾ in); depth 14.9 cm (5 7/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.20: Pair of brass and tortoiseshell boulle caddies, c. 1840. Each with boulle marquetry on mahogany carcass, one contre-partie and one première partie; brass lock and single hinge; base covered with black Morocco paper; underside of lid lined with tinfoil; single interior compartment without lid. Height 13.6 cm (5 3/8 in); width 11.8 cm (4 5/8 in); depth 12.1 cm (4 ¾ in). In the collection of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury, KT 

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Figure 11.21: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1850. Tortoiseshell veneer on oak carcass; pewter stringing; Old Sheffield plate escutcheon; ivory acorn finial on lid; ivory bun feet; silver hinges; base covered with brown silk (possibly replacement); ivory-veneered inner rims; interior lined throughout with silvered paper; two compartments with tortoiseshell-veneered lids with ivory knobs. Height 17.8 cm (7 in); diameter 15.2 cm (6 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.22: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1840, impressed with ‘LUND CORNHILL’. Tortoiseshell veneer on pine carcass; ivory final on lid; silver hinge; push-button fastening; base covered with Morocco paper; ivory-veneered inner rims; underside of lid lined with red velvet; single compartment with tortoiseshell-veneered lid with ivory knob. Height 16.5 cm (6 ½ in); diameter 13.3 cm (5 ¼ in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.23: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1840. Tortoiseshell veneer on mahogany carcass; silver plaque on pagoda lid; columns at corners; silver stringing, escutcheon and hinges; ivory ball feet; base covered with Morocco paper; ivory-veneered inner rims; underside of lid lined with red velvet; two compartments with tortoiseshell-veneered lids with ivory knobs. Height 15.2 cm (6 in); width 17.8 cm (7 in); depth 10.1 cm (4 in). Mark Goodger Antiques, Northamptonshire 

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Figure 11.24: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1840. Tortoiseshell veneer on pine carcass; silver plaque on lid; silver stringing, escutcheon and hinges; vegetable ivory bun feet; base covered with Morocco paper; ivory-veneered inner rims; underside of lid lined with red velvet; two compartments with tortoiseshell-veneered lids with carved mother-of-pearl knobs. Height 12.1 cm (4 ¾ in); width 17.8 cm (7 in); depth 11.4 cm (4 ½ in). Mark Goodger Antiques, Northamptonshire 

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Figure 11.25: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1835. Tortoiseshell veneer on pine carcass, impressed on front, back and sides with ‘basket weave’ pattern; pewter stringing; silver escutcheon, lock and hinge; silvered ball feet; base covered with red Morocco paper; horn-veneered inner rims; underside of lid lined with pink velvet; single interior compartment with tortoiseshell-veneered lid with ivory knob. Height 11.8 cm (4 5/8 in); width (at base) 13.3 cm (5 1/4 in); depth 10.8 cm (4 1/4 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.26: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1840. Tortoiseshell veneer on wooden carcass, impressed on all sides with Gothic architectural patterns; pewter stringing; ivory finial on lid; silver escutcheon and silvered hinge; brass (possibly once silvered) feet; base covered with black Morocco paper; ivory-veneered inner rims; underside of lid lined with pink velvet; single interior compartment with tortoiseshell- and ivory-veneered lid with ivory knob. Height 17.4 cm (6 7/8 in); width 15.6 cm (6 1/8 in); depth 15.6 cm (6 1/8 in). Private collection  

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Figure 11.27: Tortoiseshell caddy bearing retailer’s label of W. H. Tooke, Liverpool, c. 1860. Tortoiseshell veneer on wooden carcass, inlaid on front and lid with mother-of pearl; silver escutcheon; vegetable ivory bun feet; ivory-veneered inner rims; underside of lid lined with red velvet; two interior compartments; printed label on base ‘OLD POST OFFICE BUILDINGS LIVERPOOL W H TOOKE, GOLDSMITH JEWELLER, MANUFACTURER OF, DESKS DRESSING CASES & C’; white metal presentation label on rear, engraved ‘PRESENTED BY THE BLIND 37 BOLD ST, Liverpool, TO THEIR DEAR FRIEND, Miss Poynton’. Width 20.3 cm (8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.28: Tortoiseshell caddy, dated 1898. Tortoiseshell veneer on wooden carcass; rococo-style silver mounts fixed with (formerly silvered) brass pins; mount at base with marks for Birmingham, 1898; silver drop-loop handle and key; single interior compartment lined with silvered paper; tortoiseshell-veneered inner lid with silver finial. Height 11.1 cm (4 3/8 in); width 10.2 cm (4 in); depth 7.3 cm (2 7/8 in). J. de Haan & Son, Suffolk 

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Figure 11.29: Tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1890. Tortoiseshell veneer on pine carcass; rococo-style silver mounts on lid; silver ring handles, feet and escutcheon; underside of lid lined with green velvet; single interior compartment lined with lattice-patterned silvered paper; tortoiseshell-veneered inner lid with ivory knob. Height 10.2 cm (4 in); width 12.7 cm (5 in); depth 8.9 cm (3 ½ in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.30: Matched pair of tortoiseshell caddies in the shape of miniature knife boxes, dated 1877-78. Tortoiseshell veneer on pine carcasses; identical silver mounts, drop-loop handles and hinges (but slightly different escutcheons); undersides of lids lined with green velvet. Right: escutcheon with maker’s mark ‘E S B’; base covered with (replacement) green baize; interior with later silver paper; no inner lid. Left: one mount with marks for Chester, 1877/78, and makers ‘MC’ and ‘EH’; base covered with black leather; interior lined with lattice-patterned silvered paper; inner lid with silver knob. Height (at rear) 9.9 cm (3 7/8 in); width 8.6 cm (3 3/8 in); depth 8.6 cm (3 3/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.31: Tortoiseshell flask caddy, dated 1887-88. Tortoiseshell veneer on wooden carcass; silver top and cap lid with marks for Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings Shepherd, London, 1887-88; silver shield on front; base covered with black Morocco paper. Height 10.8 cm (4 ¼ in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.32: Faux tortoiseshell chest, c. 1730. Oak carcass painted to simulate tortoiseshell; brass handle, escutcheon, lock and hinges; base and underside of lid covered with green baize; interior rims painted red; three interior compartments containing tinplate canisters, two (with cap lids) for tea and one (with hinged lid) for sugar. Height 8.8 cm (3 ½ in); width 16.8 cm (6 5/8 in); depth 9.1 cm (3 5/8 in). Private collection 

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Figure 11.33: Faux tortoiseshell caddy, c. 1860. Sycamore carcass with pokerwork decoration simulating tortoiseshell; pressed brass ring handles, escutcheon and feet; base (later) painted black; underside of lid lined with red Morocco paper; interior with two compartments with pokerwork lids fitted with ivory knobs. Height 14 cm (5 ½ in); width 17.8 cm (7 in); depth 10.2 cm (4 in). Windsor House Antiques, Barnwell