Brass Bound Campaign Box

A brass bound mahogany Dressing Box with engraved handled for Leslie S.B. Pollock.

The dividers and fittings for this box have been removed at some point in its history and its has then been lined with paper. It has a lift out tray with steel handles to the sides and a plain space below. The lid interior has a leather board, covered with velvet and gilt tooled to its border, which would have cushioned the jars and contents of the box. Behind the board is a recess that would have held a removable mirror.

The box has stay hinges to hold the lid in an upright position and inset long brass straps to strengthen and protect the box. The box has a working key an the lock is simply stamped secure lever.

The top of the box has a good, flush campaign handle which is engraved with the owner's name Leslie S. B. Pollock. There was a Victorian artist of the same name and there is a good chance, given the number of initials, that this was his Dressing Case. Little is known about him other than he was a member of the Royal Academy and painted a triple dog watercolour portrait in 1876 entitled Tsar, Wagga and Sultan. The painting was sold by The Blackbrook Gallery.

Although its original use has changed, for modern living this is a very practical box for storing documents etc. Circa 1875.