18th Century Battersea [Patch] Box , Enameled Copper with Saying & Mirror, as in museum (ON HOLD)

Being offered is a lovely late 18th century Battersea/ Bilston box, often referred to as a Patch Box. It measures 1.77” x 1.50” x 0.91” with an enameled green copper base and a white enameled top with English Script adage. Inside the lid is a very worn mirror. On the lid in beautiful script is:

“When Love and Grace together dwell                        They make a Palace of a cell                                            But where discord rears her head                                    Every Hope of Comforts fled”

These small elaborate boxes would often be used for storing tiny colorful shapes that fashionable aristocrats and royalty would position on their face – usually black. This was stylish in the 18^th century and used by both men and women, also used to hide blemishes and pox marks.

These boxes originated in England, and many had a sentimental saying on the lid (see examples). They date to around the 1790s. It has some condition issues, like some tiny cracks and tiny chips on the enamel and loss to random spots of the enamel, but the mirror inside is still intact.

Although objects such as this are not military, they are a part of the time period and as such should also have some recognition. I have done this in my own collections and when doing a display or exhibit, those pieces always attract attention. They make a nice softer touch to any early collection.