Dressing box
George Reid (fl. 1811 – d.1844)
Date
c. 1840 - 1841
Materials
Rosewood, Silver, Glass, Leather, Velvet, Satin, Brass, White Metal, Mother of Pearl, Steel, Ivory, Animal Hair, Card, Paper, Foil
Place of origin
London
Collection
Mottisfont, Hampshire
NT 770447
Summary
Rosewood veneer dressing case, with circular brass cartouche displaying the Russell family crest inserted into the top panel. Internally lined with red leather and velvet with compartments for the contents. Within the lid is a removable fitted-leather document wallet and underneath this a leather encased mirror.The contents consist of two large glass cologne bottles with stoppers, four smaller round glass jars, a glass toothbrush holder and soap dish. The glass jars, toothbrush holder and soap dish all have silver lids, hallmarked for London, 1841 with a makers mark for George Reid (fl.1811-d.1844). There is a small leather insert tray containing steel vanity tools, consisting of a penknife, nail file, button hook and tooth pick, all with mother of pearl handles and a pair of scissors. The knife's blade is marked for George Allen of Sheffield.
Provenance
Lord Arthur Russell and by descent to Julian Russell. Purchased by the National Trust for Mottisfont Abbey, 2017.
Makers and roles
George Reid (fl. 1811 – d.1844), silversmith George Allen, maker