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Knife box, English, unknown maker, early nineteenth century
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Knife box, English, unknown maker, early nineteenth century, mahogany with inlay in box and ebony, XF28, ©Sir John Soane's Museum, London. Photograph: Hugh Kelly
Knife box, English, unknown maker, early nineteenth century
Mahogany with boxwood and ebony inlay
Height: 36cm
Width: 22cm
Depth: 29cm
Width: 22cm
Depth: 29cm
Museum number: XF28
On display: Library-Dining Room
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
With a serpentine front with stringing to all edges; underside of hinged lid inlaid with a six pointed star within an oval of boxwood with ebony bands; interior fully fitted for cutlery, the divisions within a grid of box stringing with diagonal ebony bands; silver plated key escutcheon with engraved leaf border and small ring handle also with engraved leaf decoration.
This knife-box was one of a pair which stood on the sideboard in the Library/Dining Room and appears in the 1822 views of the room. Although these are noted in the Furniture and Fittings inventory as having been sold by order of the Trustees after Soane’s death, it seems that this one remained unsold.1
1 Peter Thornton commissioned a replica of this knife box from Arthur Brett and Sons which stands with it on the replica sideboard in the Library-Dining Room.
This knife-box was one of a pair which stood on the sideboard in the Library/Dining Room and appears in the 1822 views of the room. Although these are noted in the Furniture and Fittings inventory as having been sold by order of the Trustees after Soane’s death, it seems that this one remained unsold.1
1 Peter Thornton commissioned a replica of this knife box from Arthur Brett and Sons which stands with it on the replica sideboard in the Library-Dining Room.
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk