Object Description
This is a magnificent antique Victorian Burr Walnut table top Vanity Box, circa 1860 in date.
The fitted interior reveals a lift-out tray, fitted with silver-plate mounted cut glass bottles, boxes, and jars, all finely engraved and pierced, the tray with manicure instruments. It has a sprung loaded secret fitted drawer to the base, that is opened by lifting a silver knob.
The top features a folio sleeve with gilt edging that opens to reveal a mirrored back.
Complete with working lock and key.
This is a highly decorative piece which will make a statement anywhere it is placed.
Condition:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 17 x Width 28 x Depth 21
Dimensions in inches:
Height 7 inches x Width 11 inches x Depth 8 inches
Walnut & Burr Walnut
Walnut is a hard, dense, tight- grained wood that polishes to a very smooth finish. It is a popular and attractive wood whose colour ranges from near white in the sapwood to a dark hew in the heartwood. When dried in a kiln, walnut wood tends to develop a dull brown colour, but when air-dried can become a rich purplish-brown. Because of its colour, hardness and grain, it is a prized furniture and carving wood. Walnut veneer was highly priced and the cost would reflect the ‘fanciness’ of the veneer – the more decorative, then the more expensive and desirable.
Burr walnut refers to the swirling figure present in nearly all walnut when cut and polished, and especially in the wood taken from the base of the tree where it joins the roots. However the true burr is a rare growth on the tree where hundreds of tiny branches have started to grow. Burr walnut produces some of the most complex and beautiful figuring you can find.
Walnut “burrs” were often used to make fabulous furniture. Veneer sliced from walnut burl is one of the most valuable and highly prized by cabinet makers and prestige car manufacturers and is also a favourite material for shotgun stocks.
Our reference: A3601