Featured little French (?) sewing box...

Found this on etsy listed at less that 30 quids. It's fantastic though inner tray and lining is missing, but it could be easily converted into a jewellery box

 

Cute box. The inside looks awfully newish to me. Id have still bought it cause I love a box!

 

I think it’s been sanded at some point, perhaps after it lost its paper lining. A similar one is dated to early 19th century, but not sure how long they’ve been sticking to that design

 

Nice looking box. But I agree looks very ‘fresh’ inside. Overall I wouldn’t have thought a 100% antique.

 

Well here's an almost identical one (and not the only one) with full set of sewing tool:https://www.lamidesarts.fr/SOUVENIR-PALAIS-ROYAL-SEWING-BOX-MOTHER-OF-PEARL-1830


The style and hardware used are all same, I have no problem with it

 

Well to me it doesn’t look almost identical at all. That box looks fairly bigger and is certainly much older. The wood used also look different (to me that looks like walnut) The size of your box makes me think more of a small ‘cigar box size’ Doesn’t look like it can fit a full set of sewing tools.

 

I checked the size stated in the link, it’s just 4cm longer than mine. Also you can find the structure presented inside, which is used to hold the tray but now it’s all gone.

 

But again let’s ask @808 raver ’s opinion

 

A size comparison with a palais royale tray
The slot in this tray is larger than usual, i.e. the length of needle case slot is 9.5cm but most needle cases are less than 8cm

 

What is that written on the lid ?

 

I’m not sure, it does look french to me:

 

I'd bet that box had a fabric lining that protected the wood. They seem to have stripped the interior, and if it was totally protected this whole time it would be no wonder the wood looks new.

 

How does the bottom look? Old boxes freshly missing their liners or not often used can look pretty fresh inside.

 

Yes that's what I was saying, and you can actually see trace of glue, so has probably been sanded off. It could be fabric or paper lining, my another french sewing box is lined with paper at the bottom

 

The bottom is properly worn
I guess the lining has gone for a long time, as the writing inside is too fancy for a modern hand lol

 

But I now assume the little handle on the lid could be a replacement as it has different level of oxidization and strange style. Also, the tiny handle seems unfit to lift a lid that big and heavy. Probably there to replace a missing name panel ( what is it called?)

 

Well that certainly changes my opinion ! Now that I really look at that signature I see its old ink as well, I agree possibly French,I wonder if its the maker ?

 

Till someone who can decode it appears but I’m saying French because of the type of the lock, not sure if the writing is french too!

 

Jorgen or Jorgan for last name? Dorgen/Dorgan maybe.

 

Pretty unlikely that’s what the bottom would look like if it were super new.

The woodwork inside looked a bit sloppy to me but if meant to be covered with a lining as I imagine is the case that could be forgiven.

The handle does seem awful odd and there was definitely something else there at some point based on the patina discrepancy. When I first saw the handle I thought it was going to be a humidor or something. Look’s meant to vent almost.

Were you looking for escutcheon? Name plate?