Tortoiseshell box with gold coloured pique work

A tortoiseshell box, probably for cigarettes, with gold coloured pique work on the lid. The design of the pique work is that of two shields bearing the initials W and M set inside scroll work and floral decoration. Possibly late 19th or early 20th century. The two halves of the box are hinged with two gold coloured metal hinges and fastened with a gold coloured metal clasp. The interior of the box has 4 metal hooks, on which elastic was stretched to keep in place the contents. The remains of the elastic are still visible on one half. The box contains a note to indicate that the box was presented to the Worshipful Company of Horners on 2nd February 1959 by W.P. Dobson. This natural plastic item forms part of the Worshipful Company of Horners collection.

WCHL : 266.1