Spanish Colonial Writing Box with Chinoiserie Stand
click the photo to enlarge
A Spanish colonial writing box, cedar with tortoiseshell and bone inlay, 18th century, supported on a 19th century European chinoiserie stand, the extensively inlaid box having a lift up lid opening to reveal a plain interior with a silver inlaid tortoiseshell inkwell and pounce pot, both of hexagonal form, the lower section having a central drawer flanked by internal secret compartments, the later chinoiserie stand of pine, comprising a decorated frieze supported on 4 tapering square section legs terminating in spade feet, bearing old paper label to underside 'Simpson', 92 cm high including stand, 45 cm wide, 45 cm deep
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
- Frieze - An architectural term denoting the flat, shaped or convex horizontal surface of furniture, between the architrave and the cornice, usually found on a cabinet or bookcase, or on desks and tables where it may include drawers, the area between the top and the legs. In ceramics, the term refers to the banding, of usually a repeating pattern, on the rims of plates and vases.
- Tortoiseshell - Tortoiseshell is a translucent material that comes from the horny carapace of a certain types of turtles, including the hawksbill turtle. It is often therefore mounted on a colour underground - often red - or inlaid with gold or silver thread, as seen in Boulle furniture.
The texture and colour nuances of the material are extremely important. Heated tortoiseshell can easily be formed into various shapes. Like other natural materials, tortoiseshell becomes more beautiful with use. In a time before plastic, tortoiseshell was widely used for small objects such as combs and powder compacts.
In 1973, the trade of tortoiseshell worldwide was banned under CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Prior to importing or exporting items containing tortoiseshell a CITES permit must be obtained. Tortoiseshell items cannot be traded on Ebay.
"Faux tortoiseshell", another case of man initiating nature, is made from old-style plastics such as celluloid and cellulos and is coloured with red, yellow and brown spots to imitate the genuine article. It is commonly used in glasses frames, musical instruments and costume jewellery. - Chinoiserie - Furniture and decorative items decorated in imitation of a Western interpretation of the Chinese style. The Chinoiserie style first became popular in the late 17th century, though there were frequent revivals, notably by Chippendale (hence 'Chinese Chippendale') during the Regency period, and the Anglo-Japanese style in the second half of the 19th century.
The ubiquitous 'willow pattern' is the most common 'Chinese' theme used in porcelain, while on furniture the Chinoiserie style usually has black or red painted and lacquered decoration, though the hallmark of the furniture style is the use of fretwork in geometrical patterns, pagodas and other decorative forms.
Japonaiseries, as the name implies, are motifs in imitation of the Japanese taste.
See also "Chinese Chippendale". - Pounce - Pounce is a finely ground powder made from a mixture of salt, sand, talc, pumice and soapstone. It was used in the era before the invention of blotting paper and was sprinkled over wet ink to speed up the drying process. It was commonly stored in a pounce pot, a container similar to a salt shaker, but with a concave top to allow the unused pounce to be returned to the container. The containers were made wood, silver or ceramic, and were sometimes a component of an inkstand.
Visually similar items
A pair of old Chinese rosewood side tables, square form, decorative pierced rounded scrolling frieze, square section legs with square scroll feet. 48 cm x 48 cm x 50 cm
Sold by
in
for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
A three drawer red lacquer side table, Chinese 118 cm wide, 54 cm deep, 79.5 cm high
Sold by
in
for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
An old Chinese elm side table, plain oblong top with four small frieze drawers, all with metal cup handles, supported on four square section legs. 150 cm x 56 cm x 85 cm
Sold by
in
for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
A French mahogany and inlaid desk, the frieze with three drawers, with inlaid decoration, the top inset with gilt tooled leather, raised on four square tapering legs. 140 cm x 69 cm x 80 cm
Sold by
in
for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.