A very handsome early George III mahogany veneered knife box with an elegant star inlay on the slope of its lid. The serpentine front is banded in satinwood, and it has a compass star decoration with rope cross-banded inlay applied to the underside of its lid. The key hole has a silver shield-shaped escutcheon mounted to its front. Originally it would have had a pierced wooden liner to hold knives. Most likely this was removed a century ago when cutlery drawers and canteens of cutlery became de riguer, and the knife box was put to more useful purpose. It's a truly stunning knife box, and a good early one at that.

History

By the mid 18th century, British cabinetmakers and joiners became prosperous in the manufacture of knife boxes. Valuable cutlery and flatware of the nobility had to be housed under lock and key, and owning a knife box was all part of upper echelon social graces. Georgian flatware was owned by the wealthy and required special cases for its storage and display. The knife box became a symbol of importance in the 18th century dining room, since owning silver was a matter of great prestige. Craftsmen designed and made knife boxes in the Hepplewhite and Sheraton styles with slant fronts, hinged lids, and beautiful veneered surfaces, such as the knife box we offer here.

Year of manufacture: c.1760

Country of origin: UK 

Material: mahogany veneer, wood and metal

Dimensions: Height 36cm Width 23.5cm  Depth 27.5cm

Condition: a little battle scarred with chips and knocks to its edges and corners - yet all character building. It is missing its internal liner, and its lock does not work - and there's some damage to the veneer near to where the lock barrel was fitted, yet this does not show on the outside when the lid is closed. The silver shield-shaped escutcheon is missing one of its points. See images.