The box is inlaid on the top, sides and inside the lid with seventy-two octagonal shaped numbered specimens of wood. The woods come from many different regions including the newly discovered Australia, Middle East, India and Africa. All the woods are named on a printed list which accompanies the box. Collectors of this period were curious about the voyages of discovery to hitherto unexplored regions of the world, and boxes of this type were very popular.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Lady's workbox, 1808
Date supported
2005
Medium and material
Mahogony; specimen woods; ivory
Dimensions
11.5 x 34 x 26 cm
Grant
3125
Total cost
12500
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