Featured Regency Sewing Box.

Yesterday I bought this fabulous Regency sewing box C.1790-1810.
The fittings are all original, absolutely wonderful.................
BUT.....

The dealer I bought it off pays someone to rip out the original insides of all her boxes and replace it with modern materials.
Yes it's over 200 years old and would have been worn inside but it would have stayed original.
The second pic shows the horrible work that's been done to it and of course I'll have to rip it all out and put it back to how it should look and with antique materials.

 

Unusual to have an English shape and lock but with almost French metal fittings, do they look original to the box?

 

Yes they do look totally original, the feet I'm not 100% about but I think they are typical for a box of that era.

 

It is a beauty, and a perfect project. I am sure you will make it look original and beautiful again.

Whatever is she thinking? This just looks painful. But you will solve that.

 

https://www.collectorsnet.com/produ...ather-dressing-or-sewing-box-circa-1815-1820/

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/59465666_regency-sewing-box

This can give you an example of what it may have looked like in its original state. But time as had its way with these examples to some extent, as well.

 

Uh! The seller thought it was better to "renovate" the interior for selling... BAD! This ruffled fabric on the lid is the worst part
I'm impatient to see this beauty after your restoration

 

It is and so hard to find too

I really can't imagine why anyone would do that unless it's for more money ...... it's a nightmare under the lid.

 

It's all horrible isn't it ....
I'll post pics after I've done it

 

Thank you, I've been searching the net for clues

 

That material on the lid reminds me of the interior of a casket.

I was just wondering. Do you keep all the boxes you restore or do you find new forever homes for them?

 

It's leather though

I keep them, they're all a labour of love.......
I'm fast running out of space though

 

That dealer wants smacking hard. Lovely box, that top and shape looks dead right for the date. I'm not convinced on that round handle being original, I suspect its feetses have been regilded too. Got the key?

 

She does you're right......
The handle matches handles on the sides exactly and now that I've stripped it I can see the split pins on the side handles and the bottom parts go under the wooden base so unless the base was changed and I don't think it has then the handles must be original.
The feet are a bit brighter than I like so I'm going to take them down with patina paste.
And yes, I have the key

Oh and the pin that holds the drawer in is there too.

 

When all else fails, send it to Kyra. Commission one of her famous "Kyra-tisation" restorations and you can't go wrong.

 

Hi Ghopper,
You should see some of the restorations that poisonivy does. She is also an expert.
greg

 

I'd love to. Two restoration experts on one board!

 

Thank you Greg....
I'm not sure I'm an expert but I try

 

Thanks for the tribute to my kyratisations, Ghopper!
That work is above my skills Poisonivy is a master for those restorations

 

Thank you for that, it's so nice to know that members like to see what I've done

 

Here is the sweetest Regency box I bought recently, I LOVE the shape.
It had been stripped out and papered in some green paper except for inside the lid, the velvet in there is original, the pink paper in the lid is original too and great it was still there because I could match it up.
Hubby cut all the pieces of wood I needed, all cut from Victorian backing board I saved from frames.
The lock was out but easy to put back.
I covered all the pieces with paper before painting just like the Georgians did.
The fabric is Victorian, I dyed it to match (It's impossible to find any Regency fabric) and there it is