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DRESSING CASE
DRESSING CASE

DRESSING CASE

Dimensions.1a: 34 x 33 x 22 cm (13 3/8 x 13 x 8 11/16 in.) .1b: 35.5 x 15 cm (14 x 5 7/8 in.)
Object numberHF.2017.15.7.1-12
DescriptionA black leather dressing case (7.1a), known as a Gladstone bag, rectangular in shape. The case opens widthwise at the top center and there is a curved leather handle attached to metal hardware on the front of half of the top. At the center of the handle is a lock mechanism with a keyhole at the center. The lock mechanism pushes down to unlock the interior clasp. On the front side of the case is a pocket which extends widthwise with three interior pockets which contains .2a) a black envelope-style folder with four pages of blotting paper held at the interior with black elastic and 2.b-c) ivory pen with metal nib and ivory pencil with metal hardware and lead, as well as .3) a small box-shaped black match case with “Light” embossed on the top. 7.1b) is a flap for the exterior pocket which has become separated with “E.M.D.” in grey letters at the center. One strap remains on the left side which would have attached to one of two metal nubs near the bottom of the case’s front. The interior of the case is lined in green fabric.

When opened, the top half of the case forms two compartments each held closed with a clasp which opens when pressed downwards. Inside the first compartment is .4) a white, narrow handled brush, .5) a tall, narrow glass bottle with circular metal lid, .6a-b) an ivory paper knife in a narrow black case, .7a-c) a black case with a small corkscrew and button hook both with mother-of-pearl handles, and .8) a black case with rectangular, handheld mirror on the interior. The second compartment contains .9) an oval shaped brush with wooden body and short bristles, .10) small glass bottle with cut sides and screw top, 11) an oval glass container with lid, 12) small glass bottle with short, screw top.

The lids of .5 and .11 and both have “G&H” stamped onto the bottom edge of the lid followed by three symbols which look like a lion, “T” and a small shield. .12 has “WHW” stamped at the bottom edge of the lid followed by the same three symbols as .5 and .11.
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