Battersea Bilston Enamel 'Galleon Clipper Ship' Patriotic Patch Box Circa 1790

Description

An oval Battersea Bilston English Patch Box featuring a Clipper ship, Galleon in Full Sail. This was the age when … more An oval Battersea Bilston English Patch Box featuring a Clipper ship, Galleon in Full Sail. This was the age when Sailing Ships dominated the seas. The top has a detailed Sailing Ship, Black on a White background. The base is a mottled blue. Does look like the sea, however, I have never seen this color on a base so I don’t think this is original, maybe has some sort of additive.
The top of the box is in very good condition, as noted I do not think the color of the base is original. There are a couple of chips on the inside, pictured. The hinges are good with a nice patina. The box closes good and tight.

Measures approximately 1 ½” x 1 ¼” x ¾” tall. Pictured next to a quarter coin for scale.

This Patch Box is English, enamel on copper. Circa 1790.

Patches were the 18th century equivalent of beauty marks and were traditionally little pieces of gummed black silk taffeta or velvet used to draw attention to a particular facial feature and to flatter the complexion. less