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A wonderful 1930s high-quality Italian jewellery box, made in Sorrento for the Naples tourist market. It is a wonderful puzzle box with a secret lock and all of its original linings.
FREE UK NEXT DAY DELIVERY. We Ship Worldwide.
This is a wonderful 1930s high-quality Italian jewellery box, made in Sorrento for the Naples tourist market. It is a wonderful puzzle box with a secret lock and all of its original linings.
The Exterior
This box is made of solid Olivewood, details of which are given below. The Olivewood has very attractive figuration.
The box is in the form of books. There are two books horizontally placed at the top and bottom, and two rows of upright volumes inbetween. These are all numbered with hand-painted Roman Numerals (I to XI). There are also hand-painted details to the spines of the top and bottom books.
The lid has stunning decoration. It has an inset picture of Castel Dell Ovo (Egg Castle) in the Bay of Naples, complete with its original protective glass cover. It also has beautiful diagonal bands of Micro Mosaic inlay, plus beautiful transfer printed flowers and Napoli (Naples) inscription.
The box is complete with its original (secret) lock and hinges. It comes with a vintage replacement key which has been fitted to operate the existing lock. The secret lock is hidden behind the 'spine' numbered VI in the bottom row of books.
Instructions on how to access the secret lock will be sent along with the box.
The Interior
The interior has two swing opening compartments at the top and a further larger compartment beneath. All three compartments have their original red silk linings, with the base panels being quilted and plumply padded. The hinges to the swing compartments are original.
The musical movement is cased to the right of the lower compartment. A very decorative ring handle has been added to the casing, to enable it to be easily removed should the movement ever require some attention. The handle is vintage, dating to the same period as the box.
The inside of the lid has its original mirror which is held securely by its original wooden frame. The red silk linings around the mirror are also original.
The Musical Movement
The musical movement plays 'Maria Mari'. The original tune title label is still on the bottom of the box.
Operating The Musical Movement
The movement is operated via the winding key on the right side of the box. Only four turns of the key are required to play the tune in full.
The movement is in good working order, playing the tune at its correct tempo. The music stops as it should, when the lid is closed or when the movement has fully unwound.
Notes On Vintage Musical Movements
Care must be taken not to overwind the movement. Over winding will result in the movement malfunctioning. It is advisable to allow the movement to fully unwind before re-winding it.
Vintage movements are already old and so will naturally have some wear from age and use. They may occasionally malfunction and/or deteriorate over time.
We are not responsible for movements that may deteriorate or malfunction from further age and use once a box is purchased. Neither are we responsible for movements that malfunction from overwinding.
Please ensure the movement is still working as soon as you receive your box. It will be checked again prior to posting.
You can view our full returns policy which includes musical movements by visiting our Payments And Returns page.
About Olivewood
Olivewood has a distinctive grain and rich colour which gives it a beautiful appearance. It has characteristic brown and yellow streaks which make for a beautiful contrast. These features make it a sought after wood for decorative items such as jewellery boxes.
Olivewood is also favoured for its hardness. It is a strong durable wood with a fairly high density and it takes well to cutting and polishing.
The Olive tree primarily grows in the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. Its wood has been used for many years by Italian box makers in particular. It is also a favoured wood in areas of the Holy Lands such as Jerusalem.
Condition
This wonderful box is still in very good condition, despite its 90 years of age. It has sound structure and only minor light wear to the Olivewood in general. There is a minor slither of Olivewood missing to the rear left corner of the lid. This area has been smoothed over and in no way detracts from the beautiful overall appearance of the box.
The interior linings are in very good condition which is remarkable given their age. There are a couple of stains to the red silk on the rear wall of the lower compartment. This is from the screws behind the silk.
The hinges are still in good working order and the box locks securely.
The original mirror has foxing as is usually the case in such very old boxes. Please see the photos provided.
Please note - there is a secret compartment within the bottom horizontally placed book which is no longer accessible.
History
These beautiful puzzle boxes with their secret locks were designed to securely store valuable pieces of jewellery and private documents etc. Puzzle boxes are still made today but these modern versions are rarely as beautiful or well made.
Notes About Vintage Locks
We would like to make you aware that vintage locks can occasionally malfunction. They are already very old and so will naturally have some wear from age and use. We are not responsible for locks that malfunction from further age and use once boxes are purchased.
Please ensure the lock is still working as soon as you receive your box. It will be checked again prior to posting.
You can view our full returns policy which includes locks by visiting our Payments And Returns page.
Measurements
Please use the following measurements to ensure the box is the right size for your requirements.
Length: 21.8cm
Width: 12.5cm
Height: 12.3cm
Interior Top Compartments x 2:
8.5 by 8.1cm with a 1.7cm depth.
Interior Lower Compartment:
16.0 by 9.5cm with a 3.8cm depth.
Postage
This box will be posted FREE within the UK by Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery.
International postage is £30 by Royal Mail International Tracked and/or Signed For postage. Delivery is fast, within 3-5 working days to Europe and 5-7 working days to the rest of the world. Delivery may be longer depending on the speed of your local postal service and/or if your parcel has to go through customs. Please note that we cannot deliver to international PO boxes as we use a secure insured postal service that requires a signature.
Customs/VAT fees and Import Tariffs
International customers are responsible for paying any applicable customs duties, import tariffs, customs clearance/handling fees and/or VAT. These fees are NOT included in the prices of our boxes or our postage fees.
Please visit our Orders & Delivery page for further details.
This is a wonderful 1930s high-quality Italian jewellery box, made in Sorrento for the Naples tourist market. It is a wonderful puzzle box with a secret lock and all of its original linings.
A wonderful 1930s high-quality Italian jewellery box, made in Sorrento for the Naples tourist market. It is a wonderful puzzle box with a secret lock and all of its original linings.
FREE UK NEXT DAY DELIVERY. We Ship Worldwide.
This is a wonderful 1930s high-quality Italian jewellery box, made in Sorrento for the Naples tourist market. It is a wonderful puzzle box with a secret lock and all of its original linings.
The Exterior
This box is made of solid Olivewood, details of which are given below. The Olivewood has very attractive figuration.
The box is in the form of books. There are two books horizontally placed at the top and bottom, and two rows of upright volumes inbetween. These are all numbered with hand-painted Roman Numerals (I to XI). There are also hand-painted details to the spines of the top and bottom books.
The lid has stunning decoration. It has an inset picture of Castel Dell Ovo (Egg Castle) in the Bay of Naples, complete with its original protective glass cover. It also has beautiful diagonal bands of Micro Mosaic inlay, plus beautiful transfer printed flowers and Napoli (Naples) inscription.
The box is complete with its original (secret) lock and hinges. It comes with a vintage replacement key which has been fitted to operate the existing lock. The secret lock is hidden behind the 'spine' numbered VI in the bottom row of books.
Instructions on how to access the secret lock will be sent along with the box.
The Interior
The interior has two swing opening compartments at the top and a further larger compartment beneath. All three compartments have their original red silk linings, with the base panels being quilted and plumply padded. The hinges to the swing compartments are original.
The musical movement is cased to the right of the lower compartment. A very decorative ring handle has been added to the casing, to enable it to be easily removed should the movement ever require some attention. The handle is vintage, dating to the same period as the box.
The inside of the lid has its original mirror which is held securely by its original wooden frame. The red silk linings around the mirror are also original.
The Musical Movement
The musical movement plays 'Maria Mari'. The original tune title label is still on the bottom of the box.
Operating The Musical Movement
The movement is operated via the winding key on the right side of the box. Only four turns of the key are required to play the tune in full.
The movement is in good working order, playing the tune at its correct tempo. The music stops as it should, when the lid is closed or when the movement has fully unwound.
Notes On Vintage Musical Movements
Care must be taken not to overwind the movement. Over winding will result in the movement malfunctioning. It is advisable to allow the movement to fully unwind before re-winding it.
Vintage movements are already old and so will naturally have some wear from age and use. They may occasionally malfunction and/or deteriorate over time.
We are not responsible for movements that may deteriorate or malfunction from further age and use once a box is purchased. Neither are we responsible for movements that malfunction from overwinding.
Please ensure the movement is still working as soon as you receive your box. It will be checked again prior to posting.
You can view our full returns policy which includes musical movements by visiting our Payments And Returns page.
About Olivewood
Olivewood has a distinctive grain and rich colour which gives it a beautiful appearance. It has characteristic brown and yellow streaks which make for a beautiful contrast. These features make it a sought after wood for decorative items such as jewellery boxes.
Olivewood is also favoured for its hardness. It is a strong durable wood with a fairly high density and it takes well to cutting and polishing.
The Olive tree primarily grows in the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. Its wood has been used for many years by Italian box makers in particular. It is also a favoured wood in areas of the Holy Lands such as Jerusalem.
Condition
This wonderful box is still in very good condition, despite its 90 years of age. It has sound structure and only minor light wear to the Olivewood in general. There is a minor slither of Olivewood missing to the rear left corner of the lid. This area has been smoothed over and in no way detracts from the beautiful overall appearance of the box.
The interior linings are in very good condition which is remarkable given their age. There are a couple of stains to the red silk on the rear wall of the lower compartment. This is from the screws behind the silk.
The hinges are still in good working order and the box locks securely.
The original mirror has foxing as is usually the case in such very old boxes. Please see the photos provided.
Please note - there is a secret compartment within the bottom horizontally placed book which is no longer accessible.
History
These beautiful puzzle boxes with their secret locks were designed to securely store valuable pieces of jewellery and private documents etc. Puzzle boxes are still made today but these modern versions are rarely as beautiful or well made.
Notes About Vintage Locks
We would like to make you aware that vintage locks can occasionally malfunction. They are already very old and so will naturally have some wear from age and use. We are not responsible for locks that malfunction from further age and use once boxes are purchased.
Please ensure the lock is still working as soon as you receive your box. It will be checked again prior to posting.
You can view our full returns policy which includes locks by visiting our Payments And Returns page.
Measurements
Please use the following measurements to ensure the box is the right size for your requirements.
Length: 21.8cm
Width: 12.5cm
Height: 12.3cm
Interior Top Compartments x 2:
8.5 by 8.1cm with a 1.7cm depth.
Interior Lower Compartment:
16.0 by 9.5cm with a 3.8cm depth.
Postage
This box will be posted FREE within the UK by Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery.
International postage is £30 by Royal Mail International Tracked and/or Signed For postage. Delivery is fast, within 3-5 working days to Europe and 5-7 working days to the rest of the world. Delivery may be longer depending on the speed of your local postal service and/or if your parcel has to go through customs. Please note that we cannot deliver to international PO boxes as we use a secure insured postal service that requires a signature.
Customs/VAT fees and Import Tariffs
International customers are responsible for paying any applicable customs duties, import tariffs, customs clearance/handling fees and/or VAT. These fees are NOT included in the prices of our boxes or our postage fees.
Please visit our Orders & Delivery page for further details.
For more information regarding our payments and returns policy, please click this link.
For more information regarding our orders and delivery policy, please click this link.
