3-008-827 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The International Exhibition: dressing-case by Messrs. Howell, James, and Co., of Regent-street, 1862. 'The exterior of the case is plain in appearance, being of dark polished wood...yet there is an elegance and unobtrusive refinement about the external aspect which are indicative of costliness and magnificence within. A looking-glass, surrounded by rich ornamental pierced and incised work, occupies the interior of the lid; a series of beautifully-cut bottles, mounted with gold set with small coral beads, occurs at the back of the case...and beneath are stored brushes with ivory backs, covered with pierced work, gilt and enriched with coral...From the front of the box a tray falls, filled with necessary knicnacks [sic] as button-hooks with malachite handles...The whole enrichments of the case are gilt, and are in the French Renaissance style; they are delicate and beautiful...But the peculiarity of the case consists in a mechanical contrivance by which the mere raising the lid brings about the spreading of the trays and the opening of the front...it is amusing and interesting, for the lid is constantly raised and lowered by clockwork; hence the case is alternately a mere box in appearance and the showy object which we delineate'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.