Four Victorian and Anglo-Indian Inlaid Work Boxes

19th/early 20th century

Sold together with one mahogany tea caddy. (5).

H: 3 1/2, W: 7 1/4, D: 4 1/4 in. (largest)

PROVENANCE:

Tea caddy: George Austin Cabinetmaker, Dublin.

The Estate of a Prominent Philadelphia Lady.

All with light scratches and wear commensurate with age and use. Smallest box: surface scratches, a crack and very small loss to marquetry, very small loss to one corner of lid, a paint/liquid stain to one side. Box inlaid with brass and copper: moderate surface scratches, a few surface abrasions. Box inlaid with shell: loss of several parquetry pieces to top; loss to some trim and parquetry pieces at front side; overall surface, edges, and corners rubbed; box lid tight fitting to base; a large stain/accretion (possibly glue?) to interior of box. Largest box: splitting to wood at base and lid, loss to central inlaid piece at lid, several inlaid pieces loose or seperating from substrate; some discoloration to side inlaid pieces. Tea caddy: lid was previously hinged, lid now detached from hinge; interior degraded; two corners pulling at seem; abrasions and small damage to one corner of lid and box.