Fine 19th Century Trinity House Marquetry Inlaid Rosewood Sewing Box, circa 1870

Fine 19th Century Trinity House Marquetry Inlaid Rosewood Sewing Box, circa 1870, made by a Trinity House Lighthouse Keeper or sailor aboard a Lightship for sale to passing ships. The rosewood box features marquetry inlaid cutter-rigged sloops sailing past a lighthouse within a crossbanded reserve on the lid, and additional inlaid cutters and escutcheon on the front. The interior is fitted with a velvet pincushion and various cuddies both open or covered by a rosewood lid with petite ivory finial; the tray lifts out to reveal a paper-lined storage compartment. The bottom of the box retains its original paper covering.

Delicate marquetry inlay does not survive well in the damp environments of lighthouses and ships, so these highly prized Trinity House boxes are typically found in pretty rough condition with usually substantial breaks and loss. This box in contrast is in relatively fantastic condition, with only a small amount of buckles and warp to some inlay, and scant loss around the perimeter. It remains in strong, stable condition, and is a particularly attractive and fine example of this scarce marine Folk Art.

Measures: 6 in H x 13 in L by 10 in W

The Trinity House Corporation, formally known as “The Master Wardens and Assistants of the Guild Fraternity or Brotherhood of the most glorious and undivided Trinity and of St Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond in the County of Kent”, was founded in by royal charter in 1514 and remains the official authority for lighthouses and navigational aids in the United Kingdom.