A superb 17th-century olive oyster lace box

A superb 17th century olive oyster lace box from the reign of King Charles II, circa 1675-85.

A superb 17th century olive oyster lace box from the reign of King Charles II, circa 1675-85.

Geometric patterns adorn the selected and book-matched hand cut olive oysters to the top which is beautifully inlaid with fine boxwood stringing, cross-banded and edged with cross grain mouldings, all in figured olive. Similarly, the frieze is decorated with choice cuts of olive and edged with cross-grain mouldings. The escutcheon is most interesting and unusual as it appears to depict Adam and Eve and is very much of the earlier form associated with the last half of the 17th century.

It should be noted that this box is of unusually large size and retains the most fabulous and original rich colour.