Lapis Inlay Onyx Box

Description

An elegant box made of white onyx with an inlay of lapis trimmed with a sterling silver hinged closure. Made … more An elegant box made of white onyx with an inlay of lapis trimmed with a sterling silver hinged closure. Made by George Betjeman, London Silversmith dated 1911. Just think! This box was made approximately three years before World War I. I imagine it was purchased as a gift from the great London silversmith's Atelier to grace very fine room at Highclere Castle (home to Downton Abbey.)

We have photographed it with extra light to enhance the beautiful graining of the onyx. We can detect two good repairs to two different corners of the platform which may be seen in the two images of the box upside down. Onyx by nature has fractures. It is considered to to be inherent and add to the beauty of the stone. This box is no exception to that. There are natural fractures throughout the box. Not to be considered actual breaks. There are a few flea bites as well.

The wear is consistent with age and history.

Size: Approximately 5" square at the platform and 2-1/2"h less