Antique Victorian / Edwardian Fitted Travelling Vanity Box with Cut Glass Bottle

This is a lovely antique fitted travelling vanity / dressing case, likely late Victorian to Edwardian, with a dark polished wooden case and a fitted interior containing cut-glass toilet bottles, jars and silver-coloured metal mounts. It has real country-house dressing-table appeal, especially with the deep timber tone and the surviving fitted compartments.

We believe this may have originally been a tea caddy chest. The interior has been crafted at a later stage to fit the bottles etc lovely decorators item the faceted bottles are lovely we believe the tops are probably chrome or silvered metal sold as white metal ( no hallmarks possibly silver plated?)

Displayed with other items illustration only not included

35 cm wide

25 cm depth

16 cm tall

A beautiful antique fitted travelling vanity box, dating most likely from the late Victorian to Edwardian period, presented in a dark polished wooden case with a hinged lid and fitted interior. These cases were designed for dressing and travel, holding the personal grooming bottles, jars and accessories of their original owner, and this example still retains a wonderful selection of period cut-glass containers with bright silver-coloured mounts.

The box has a handsome, architectural form, with a raised panelled lid, shaped sides and a rich dark finish that gives it a strong decorative presence. Inside, the warm-toned wooden compartmentalised interior houses an assortment of original or period-associated dressing bottles and jars, including tall ribbed glass bottles, smaller bottles, circular lidded jars, a rectangular fitted container with cork insert, and additional silver-coloured fittings.

The glass pieces have a lovely quality, with fluted and cut decoration that catches the light beautifully. The metal tops have a classic beaded-edge detail, typical of late 19th and early 20th century dressing-table fittings. One of the small accessories appears to include a sliding/mechanical detail, possibly part of a grooming or dressing implement, adding further interest.

This is a wonderfully atmospheric piece — ideal for a collector of antique vanity cases, a period dressing room display, theatre or film prop styling, or simply as a decorative antique box with strong visual character.

Condition is consistent with age and use. The exterior shows surface wear, knocks, marks, rubbing to the polish and signs of age, particularly around the edges and lid. The interior has age-related marks and wear, and some original fittings or accessories may be missing, as is common with these antique travelling cases. The bottles and jars appear highly decorative, though buyers should study the photographs carefully as part of the description. The piece is sold as a decorative antique item rather than for modern cosmetic use.

A charming and evocative antique vanity box, full of period character and surviving detail.

Antique item with age-related wear and possible losses to the original fitted contents; sold as a decorative collector’s piece and not for modern cosmetic use.