Typical of work boxes made in China for sale to visiting Europeans 1840'sBlack lacquerware work box, hexagonal, with bone or ivory fittints. Black all-over lacquered surfaces decorated with Chinese pavilion scenes and motifs with butterflies. Two inner compartments, upper one fitted with bone/ivory lids to compartments for needlework. Lower compartment is a drawer with missing contents. Two metal carrying handles, two metal key holes (no keys). Front feet gilded wood, back feet wooden blocks. Interior has one removable fitted tray with eleven compartments. Two compartment lids match gold and green lacquerware of exterior. Two have removvable inserts. Third compartment has removable pincushion insert. Four narrow compartments fitted with wooden blocks to contain tools. Lower drawer has folding writing slope decorated and five compartments for writing toolsExterior: Black lacquer with gold and pale green inlaychinese lacquerware, workbox, ivory needlework accessories

Typical of needlework accessories made in Canton area of China for European market. Made to hold needles which were expensive tools By late 18th century, needle making had achieved the ability to produce very fine needles which needed to be protected. Cylindrical carved ivory needlecase. Screw cap.Bas relief carving design with butterflies and flowers needleholder, ivory

English ivory needlecase made when sewing needles when needles were expensiv - needle work accessory to demonstrate owner's wealthThis style of motifs was popular for carved needlework accessories in 19th century. Dots and circles are created by pressing hot coloured wax into dots and circles carved into the ivory. Cylindrical ivory needlecase with incised pattern of black circles and dots. Both ends have seven bands on the tapered ends. unscrews near the middle.Decorative style of black dots and circles now known as 'madras work' or 'dot and circle decoration. needleholder, anglo_indian