A superb Georgian mahogany travelling box

A George III mahogany and brass marquetry travelling box on stand, the hinged lid with central inset plaque inscribed 'Maria', the lid opening to an angled leather inset writing slope, the main section of the interior incorporating eight divisions containing silver coloured metal mounted bottles, centred by a pair of satinwood lidded removable cannisters, being removed to reveal an arrangement of secret compartments, releasing a secret mechanism the main section rises on springs to see atop the main box, this large tray section incorporating various lidded divisions containing silver coloured metal and hallmarked silver mounted glass bottles & jars, each lid inscribed with monogram MS (Maria Shaw)the hallmarked lids by James Ruell, London, 1801, a corkscrew, a mother of pearl mounted penknife, a quantity of tortoiseshell mounted small tools, eighteen ivory thread spool barrels, the tray section incorporating two small drawers below with velvet lined divided interior and removable trays.
Beneath the tray is a further arrangement of removable trays containing small divisions which are filled with small blocks of wood, the majority of which are covered in red leather, as yet we have no idea as to what these are for and would welcome suggestions. The lid lock stamped TURNER PATENT beneath a crown. The associated stand, which appears to have been purposed made for the box to sit on, with a line inlaid frieze, turned tapering reeded legs, later castors Also containing a quantity of ephemera, including hand written notes, a small gilt tooled purse containing a small number of hand cut paper patterns, a small ollection of wax seals.
Provenance: Lady Shaw, Bushy Park, Dublin.

The Shaw Baronetcy of Bushy Park, Dublin - Maria Wilkinson’s legacy on the Shaw family.
Sir Robert Shaw's great great grandfather, William Shaw, went to Ireland and fought for King William at the Battle of the Boyne in 1689, and was rewarded by the grant of land there. William's great grandson, Robert (senior) moved to Dublin in the mid-eighteenth century, prospered as a merchant and became Accountant General of the Post Office. In 1785 he
acquired Terenure House, an estate of 35 acres.
His eldest son, Robert, was born on 29th January 1774. Robert became a well known figure in nineteenth-century Dublin; he became a member of the Guild of Merchants at the age of 21 and was elected as their representative to the Dublin City Assembly (forerunner of the present day City Council). He was also one of Dublin's foremost financial experts, with his own bank, Robert Shaw and Son, at Foster Place. With his financial know-how he was appointed to Dublin Corporation's Committee of Finance and elected Lord Mayor in 1815. He was also a Member of Parliament for New Ross and Dublin from 1804 - 1826 and, in deference to his position he was conferred with a Baronetcy on 17 August 1821 during George IV's visit to Dublin. His career continued to be illustrious and he was a founding member of the Royal Bank of Ireland which his bank merged with in 1837.
In 1796 at the age of 22 Sir Robert married Maria, daughter and heiress of the neighbouring family – the Wilkinson’s. His bride brought a substantial dowry and the 110 acre estate of Bushy Park to the marriage. Later, in 1806, Sir Robert sold his family home, Terenure House, and Bushy Park House became the family home and seat of the Shaw family until 1953. His marriage to Maria produced eight surviving children, five sons and three daughters.

Stock Number: 01095/win11
£11,000

Height: 9.5 in / 24.13 cm
Width: 21 in / 53.34 cm
Depth: 16 in / 40.64 cm