19th century Jamaican specimen wood box

This a museum quality wooden box of rectangular form, having a hinged lift up lid. 30 different veneers from the Jamaican Island.

All laid in the geometric design known as ‘Louis cube‘ pattern. This beautiful box was made by the prominent cabinet-maker in the 19th century James Pitkin. This fine box retains the original plan showing the names of all the different woods, hand-written by James Pitkin of Jamaica.

James Pitkin worked with Ralph Turnbull, and later with his two sons Cuthbert and Thomas Turnbull.

Pitkin became recognised along with the Turnbull’s and became internationally known for bold parquetry designs. He is widely credited as a driving force behind the creation of a unique, colonial Jamaican style of furniture etc. This beautiful creation show cases the variety and beauty of Jamaican timber.

Circa 1830