English Ladies Travel Box in Rosewood, Signed Mechi and Bazin of London, Circa 1870

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Excellent English ladies’ travel box in rosewood, signed Mechi and Bazin of London, dating to circa 1870. Finely crafted for … Read more Excellent English ladies’ travel box in rosewood, signed Mechi and Bazin of London, dating to circa 1870. Finely crafted for travel and personal grooming, this beautifully fitted box contains an extensive collection of accessories and compartments designed for the many personal necessities of a well-appointed Victorian lady.

The fitted interior includes a pair of scissors, a mother-of-pearl-handled lace hook for tightening laces on shoes or corsets, a small crochet hook, powder containers, perfume and toiletry vessels, and additional compartments for cosmetics and personal accessories. Also included are fitted containers associated with tea service, including a tea compartment and waste-tea receptacle, along with small vessels that may have been intended for ink or other liquids.

A particularly charming feature is the concealed document compartment, designed as a small fold-out folder for papers and correspondence and secured with a clasp. The box also features a hidden spring-loaded drawer accessed by a release pin, providing additional discreet storage for jewelry and other valuables. Another removable storage compartment offers space for larger personal items such as gloves or a scarf.

The box is exceptionally finely made, with tiny dovetailed joints, a working lock and key, brass fittings, and richly figured rosewood construction. The combination of elaborate fitted accessories, concealed storage, and refined craftsmanship makes this an impressive example of a 19th-century English ladies’ traveling case. See less