Mother of Pearl Restoration
Mother of pearl contrasted with abalone shell was a very popular choice of material for card cases, trinket and jewelry boxes in the 19th century. We see fewer tea caddies made of mother of pearl, but when we do they are usually extremely attractive.
Mother of pearl was also used in the manufacture of tables, caskets and other items, often in a geometric design with exotic woods such as ebony from India and from the Far East.
Mother of Pearl and Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
This extremely pretty mother of pearl and tortoiseshell tea caddy had lost about a third of its mother of pearl pieces, both from the lid and front panels. As part of the overall restoration process these mother of pearl diamonds had to be inlaid with abalone shell and engraved to match the existing.
Mother of Pearl Jewellery Box
Many pieces of mother of pearl and the thin curved abalone strips running along the edge of the lid were missing from this very pretty jewelry box. This photograph shows the box in restored condition.
Engraved Mother of Pearl Card Case
A very pretty example of engraved mother of pearl. We undertook remedial work around the hinge area.
Mother of Pearl Table Top
A pot plant had been placed on this family heirloom, with the result that much of the central inlaid mother of pearl and ebony diamonds, and other decoration had been lost.
Inlaid Mother of Pearl Dots
Mother of pearl was sometimes inlaid into tortoiseshell, as shown in this photograph. Several of the mother of pearl dots in the lid and front panel had to be replaced during restoration of this fine tea caddy.
