Type: Presentation / Vanity Box
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Style: Victorian / Edwardian
Date of Creation: Circa 1890–1910
Features: Silk Lined Interior, Brass Clasps, Wooden Construction
Subject: Vanity & Grooming Accessories
Region of Origin: United Kingdom
Material: Wood, Silk, Brass, Leatherette / Canvas Covering
Colour: Black, Cream, Gold Tone
Antique: Yes
Handmade: Yes
Size: 28 cm x 11 cm x 6.5 cm
Antique Victorian Edwardian Silk Lined Presentation Vanity Box Brass Clasp Case
A wonderfully atmospheric antique Victorian to Edwardian presentation or vanity box, beautifully lined with gathered silk and fitted with original brass clasps and hinges ✨
This elegant long-form box has all the hallmarks of a late 19th to early 20th century luxury grooming or presentation case, with its beautifully ruched cream silk lining, textured black exterior finish, brass furniture and finely proportioned shape.
The interior retains its original softly gathered silk lining to the lid alongside a black silk-lined base compartment, designed to cradle delicate vanity or grooming items safely during travel or storage. The proportions strongly suggest it once housed a fitted dressing table set, gentleman’s grooming accessories, hairbrushes, glove tools or another luxury personal item.
Even empty, it possesses that unmistakable antique charm — the sort of object that immediately feels connected to dressing tables, steamship travel, candlelit bedrooms and the quiet rituals of another age.
The brass clasp mechanisms remain fully functional and the hinges are intact and operating properly, which is increasingly uncommon for pieces of this age.
Perfect for:
Luxury fitted vanity and grooming boxes became highly fashionable during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, particularly among the growing middle and upper classes who embraced increasingly elaborate dressing table rituals and travel accessories.
Boxes such as this were commonly produced between approximately 1890 and 1910 using wooden carcasses covered in leatherette, textured canvas or leather, then lined internally with padded silk or satin fabrics to protect expensive silver-backed grooming implements.
The ruched silk lining seen here is especially characteristic of high-quality presentation and vanity cases from this era. Brass hardware of this style was designed both for durability and elegance, allowing the boxes to survive regular travel during a period when rail and steamship journeys were becoming increasingly common.
Many similar cases originally formed part of larger dressing table or gentleman’s travel sets, often given as wedding gifts, coming-of-age presents or retirement presentations.
Victorian and Edwardian vanity boxes were considered deeply personal possessions and were often among the first luxury items people packed for long journeys. Some even contained hidden compartments for jewellery, letters or treasured keepsakes during overseas travel aboard ocean liners 🚂✨
Approximate measurements:
Used antique condition.
Stored for many decades in a dusty loft and showing honest age-related wear and surface tiredness consistent with age and long-term storage. There is visible wear to the exterior covering and interior fabrics, but no major damage has been noted. Has a faint smell of "old"
The brass locking clasps and hinges remain fully intact and working properly.
A very decorative and authentic surviving antique piece.
Please study all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
Your antique presentation box will be carefully wrapped and securely packed with tracked and insured delivery.
Extra protective packaging will be used to protect the original silk lining and brass fittings during transit.
From Lillys RoseRed – Where the Past is Always Present 🌹
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