Tunbridgeware Box conversion to Ballerina music / keepsake box.
The finished item
This box was commissioned by a close friend as a future heirloom gift for a first granddaughter.
A late 19th century Tunbridgeware box made into a ballerina box with 1/18 note movement playing "I could have danced all night"
The side compartments to be lined with scarlet velvet.
There was a small amount of restoration work required to the marquetry.
I was unable to make the lock work. It is fixed in with nails so I decided not to try to remove it for fear of damage to the box.
The mirrors inside the lid are 45 degree faceted at each end and held in place by scarlet covered inserts.
The movement has been fully serviced and covered with a protective sheet of polycarbonate.
A new ballerina has been fitted.
I needed to raise the height of the movement so a new winder extension shaft was required.
A new piano hinge has been used so that the lid is held at 95 degrees so that the ballerina is reflected in the mirrors.
The restoration and conversion in pictures. Hover over an image for caption.
A late 19th century Tunbridgeware box made into a ballerina box with 1/18 note movement playing "I could have danced all night"
The side compartments to be lined with scarlet velvet.
There was a small amount of restoration work required to the marquetry.
I was unable to make the lock work. It is fixed in with nails so I decided not to try to remove it for fear of damage to the box.
The mirrors inside the lid are 45 degree faceted at each end and held in place by scarlet covered inserts.
The movement has been fully serviced and covered with a protective sheet of polycarbonate.
A new ballerina has been fitted.
I needed to raise the height of the movement so a new winder extension shaft was required.
A new piano hinge has been used so that the lid is held at 95 degrees so that the ballerina is reflected in the mirrors.
The restoration and conversion in pictures. Hover over an image for caption.
