Outstanding American Whaleman Made Footed Sewing Box, circa 1860, with interior compartmentalized removable tray with 5 lids inlaid with square whale ivory knobs, abalone ovals and baleen dots. The shaped gallery tray is cherry with dovetailed corners. The exterior is well thought out and executed. Precisely and elaborately inlaid with abalone, whale ivory, baleen and mother of pearl with cross diamond pattern on the front and sides. The lid front and side trim inlaid with mother of pearl circles within baleen wavy lines and contrasting thin line borders of baleen and ivory. The top has a very fine ivory and baleen wavy abalone vine border, 4 baleen flowers at the corners, a wavy cameo in the center with an abalone 5-point star within a 3-line diamond including various abalone inlays; all supported on four carved whale ivory scrolled feet.
Height 5 ¾ in. Width 10 ½ in. Depth 7 ½ in.