λ An Anglo-Indian sadeli mosaic and ivory combined sewing and writing box

λ An Anglo-Indian sadeli mosaic and ivory combined sewing and writing box, retailed by Halstaff and Hannaford, inlaid with ebony banding with a green floral mosaic ground, the hinged lid with a pull-out mirror to the underside, above a sandalwood divided interior fitted with a lift-out lidded compartment, oval ivory boxes, barrel reel holders, a shuttle and a thimble, with a pin cushion, the central plush lined lift-out tray fitted with steel scissors, tweezers, a needle case, a glass bottle and ivory handled utensils, with a base drawer fitted with a baize lined writing slope, the underside with a printed retailer's label 'HALSTAFF & HANNAFORD, Manufacturers, 228 REGENT STREET', inkwells, a pen tray and a lidded compartment, with silver handles, Bombay early 19th century, 12.7cm high, 43.2cm wide, 28cm deep.

Provenance: Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly.

In 1842 William Halstaff went into partnership with Thomas Charles Hannaford and the business became known as Halstaff & Hannaford. They mutually dissolved their partnership in 1858 but the business continued trading under their names until 1898.

The method of veneering sadeli mosaic involves the binding together of geometrically-shaped rods, each about two feet in length, of various materials, for example: tin, ivory, stained ivory, sappan wood, horn and ebony. They are arranged geometrically and then sliced through transversely and arranged into sheets of repeating patterns which are then glued onto the carcass. The main centre of production in India was Bombay and the earliest known pieces appear to have been produced in the first decade of the 19th century.