17th Century William and Mary Floral Marquetry Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1685

A fine and rare 17th-century William and Mary olive oyster floral marquetry lace box, circa 1685. England

The cross grain olive moulded and holly banded top is centred by an oval of marquetry depicting spring flowers and green stained bone leaves bordered in oysters of olive, with marquetry quadrants in a similar fashion to each corner.

Similarly, the frieze is boarded with holly and inset with two oval marquetry reserves on an ebony ground depicting spring flowers and green-stained bone leaves, raised on fine cross-grain olive convex moulding and bun feet.

There is a paper label attached to the inside that reads "Belonged to Richard Didham (Kings messenger) of Chatham old lace box - William and Mary - old English marquetry".

It should be noted that very few fine marquetry lace boxes from the 17th century are known.
The box relates to a marquetry table housed in Levens Hall that was probably supplied by the London cabinet maker Thomas Pistor to James Graham, a friend and courtier to James, Duke of York (later James II). in 1684. Adam Bowett ‘English Furniture 1669-1714, From Charles II to Queen Anne’. Plate 4:20, Page: 116.

Percy MacQuoid ‘A History of English Furniture’ pl. 269, pg. 126

The Victoria and Albert Museum – Accession Number: W.51-1925.
£16000