Brass Edging and Binding

The use of brass to edge the perimeter of a box seems to date back to around the start of George IV’s reign in 1820. As well as to protect, strengthen and conceal the joints, the brass was also considered as an additional decoration to the box’s exterior. The most commonly used forms of brass edging were right angle brass, radial brass, quadrant brass or brass corner strapping. As Victorian tastes and fashions changed, many of the finest boxes were edged with the more profiled quadrant brass.

Quadrant brass edging on an antique dressing case in coromandel by Betjemann & Sons.

Quadrant brass edging on an antique dressing case in coromandel by Betjemann & Sons.

Antique Dressing Case in Coromandel with Silver-Gilt Bottles, by Betjemann & Sons.

Antique Dressing Case in Coromandel with Silver-Gilt Bottles, by Betjemann & Sons.

Brass binding and corner mount from an antique jewellery box in burr walnut with cantilever mechanism.

Brass binding and corner mount from an antique jewellery box in burr walnut with cantilever mechanism.

Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut with Cantilever Mechanism.

Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut with Cantilever Mechanism.

Right-angle brass edging on an antique officer’s box in Cuban mahogany, by David Edwards.

Right-angle brass edging on an antique officer’s box in Cuban mahogany, by David Edwards.

Antique Officer’s Box in Cuban Mahogany, by David Edwards.

Antique Officer’s Box in Cuban Mahogany, by David Edwards.

Radial brass edging on an antique jewellery box in rosewood with foliate brass inlay, by Austin of Dublin.

Radial brass edging on an antique jewellery box in rosewood with foliate brass inlay, by Austin of Dublin.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood with Foliate Brass Inlay, by Austin of Dublin.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood with Foliate Brass Inlay, by Austin of Dublin.

Brass strapped binding on an antique jewellery box in solid mahogany, by Asprey.

Brass strapped binding on an antique jewellery box in solid mahogany, by Asprey.

Antique Jewellery Box in Solid Mahogany, by Asprey.

Antique Jewellery Box in Solid Mahogany, by Asprey.

Nickel plated brass radial edging on an antique jewellery box in coromandel, retailed by Ernest Renton.

Nickel plated brass radial edging on an antique jewellery box in coromandel, retailed by Ernest Renton.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel, Retailed by Ernest Renton.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel, Retailed by Ernest Renton.

Crescent shaped brass corner mounts from a French antique jewellery box in palisander wood.

Crescent shaped brass corner mounts from a French antique jewellery box in palisander wood.

French Antique Jewellery Box in Palisander Wood.

French Antique Jewellery Box in Palisander Wood.