Marquetry jewelry box

Is this Italian? Indian? I don't think it's particularly old, but it weighs a ton thanks to the mirror in the lid. (these are quick and dirties taken after the sun started going down...and it's overcast.) The wood bottom is the bottom of the tray/drawer rather than the base of the box. It just came in today's mail with a jewelry lot. It's probably going to land in my sister's Christmas pile if it's modern and worth about what I paid.

 

Id guess older,you dont see modern quite so well made. Im wondering if the tray is an add on ? Its a lovely box.

 

I'd say older as well.

 

I love finding boxes like this. I agree that it looks well made and may be older (as in older vintage anyway). I also like that there is marquetry on the inside as well...love it.

 

Phew. I paid $77 including shipping for this box and its contents. The contents weren't any great shakes, although there were some inlaid sterling watch tips in there. Signed. There was also, after some digging, a pin belonging to a Grand Judge of the African Violet Society of America. Duno if it's worth much beyond the silver. There was also a lot of junk. The tray bit is original to it, or one just like it was. It has a ridge around the inside made to hold one.

I'm still trying to figure out if it's American or what....

 

Pretty!

 

Compare with Sorrento ware.

 

Love it. I love any kind of inlay. And boxes. Inlayed boxes, wow.

I've seen similar boxes described as either American folk or English folk in the past, so it could well be American. Related to American quilt designs?
I always thought this was parquetry, because of the geometric designs, and non-geometric was marquetry. Sorrento, etc would be marquetry.

 

That's always been my understanding of parquetry vs. marquetry as well.

 

Same here, but folks on FeeBay don't seem to get the difference. I think the quilt type design is one reason I went for it; I make those too, for my sins. (from fabric from rummage/tag/etc sales naturally)

 

hmm, you must lead an interesting (secret) life...............

 

Not very. (sigh) Don't I wish.

 

My classes on "My Secret Life, 101" are reasonably priced, flexibly scheduled between the gloaming and dawn, and completely anonymous. Prerequisites include "How to Appear Hedonistic 101" and "Juggling Three at Once, at Once 104". Multitude of openings and venue to be determined.....................

 

I'd be lucky to juggle one at once at this point.(LOL) Three would be a major overreach.

 

That's ephemera, for sure!

 

It's sterling; I'd be more likely to call it an oddball.