Victorian, black lacquered rectangular box with brass inlay, lid with central scrolled foliate cartouche monogrammed "LER." The velvet-lined box interior with compartments designed to hold sewing implements. Set into a contemporary stand. Two calling cards come with the box - one reading "Miss Lavinia E. Cole." and the other reading "Frederick C. Roberts."

DOA 30.25 x 14.5 x 10.25 in.

Private Collection from a 40 year collector and dealer in New Bern, North Carolina Originally owned by Mrs. Lavinia Ellis (Cole) Roberts of New Bern, North Carolina Mrs. Roberts was the fourth daughter of James C. Cole and Mary Catherine Cole of New Bern. She attended Burwell School in Hillsborough. She married Mr. Frederick Cox Roberts, also of New Bern, on January 19, 1858. Mrs. Roberts was an avid New Bern historian, compiling the "Cole Record : James Cole, Senr. . . . With Blanchard, Arnett, Snead, Gillespie, and Jones." She was also a master gardener and botanical painter who lived at the corner of Pollock and Metcalf streets in New Bern. Captain William Willis Roberts, her brother-in-law who sailed with Commodore Perry to Japan when it was opened to the West, brought back lilies that were a gift from the Emperor. They were introduced to this hemisphere in LaviniaÕs Pollock Street garden. [McDaniel, Nelson. "Hundreds made our city shine for the Jubilee." SUN JOURNAL. (New Bern) 26 Sept. 2010]

Wear and fading to interior fabric; some chips to the box corners; area of loss to upper right side of lid; other small hairlines and nicks. Later stand.

$400 - 800