Antique Lace Boxes & How They Were Used
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Antique “lace boxes” were luxury items, made during the late 1600s early 1700s. Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 fashions in the English court became extravagant and imported luxury textiles became highly desirable among wealthy households.
These highly decorative, lace boxes were very popular and were used to store and protect fine lace, ribbons, sewing trims, collars, gloves, handkerchiefs, and other delicate textiles.
The term' Lace Box' was used as many of these luxury boxes were used as storage for the handmade lace which was extremely valuable and easily damaged by dust, damp, insects, or crushing.
These antique lace boxes were kept in bedrooms or dressing rooms by wealthier households. They even sometimes were used to store jewellery as well.
They were sometimes lined with silk, paper, or cedar to protect fabrics.
The images above are of a great Queen Anne Lace Box. Note the use of pollard elm and elm to veneer the box. The colour is a lovely golden, mellow colour.
The box is quarter veneered on the lid, with pollard elm and cross banded in elm, along with feather banding.
The box stands on four bun feet and still retains the original escutcheon and strap hinges.
What is also nice is once you open the box there are three secret drawers which can be opened by sliding up a panel to reveal the three drawers. These may have stored jewllery. There is also a working key.
The box measures 43cm w × 33cm dx
16.5cm h.
C1705/10
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