“A Lady’s Dressing Case”

[English, 1820-1840]. Handmade amusement. Single card sheet representing a lady’s vanity case, 190 x 230 mm, the recto covered in green paper, with manuscript title at head “A Lady’s Dressing Case”, the nine “drawers” below in the form of paper flaps with manuscript labels describing items associated with a lady’s toilet – in other words, the trappings of vanity! The “drawers” open to reveal an ironic abstract concept inside, for example the “Superfine rouge” drawer contains “Modesty”, the “Earrings” drawer contains “Attention”, “The best lip salve” drawer contains “Cheerfulness”, the “A good eye water” drawer contains “Pity”, “The best white paint” drawer contains “Innocence”, and so on; one drawer, though, which is cryptically marked “It contains…”, reveals the word “Vanity”, as if to mock the person who was tempted to open it; the verso is covered in blue paper and has an original verse of ten rhyming couplets titled For a Lady’s Toilet, which expands upon the concept of virtue versus vanity and incorporates the various phrases used in the “Dressing Case” on the front; original gold-papered border; some minor creasing to the delicate paper flaps, but otherwise very well preserved, a miraculous survivor.

A charming and unique handmade amusement from the Late Georgian to Early Victorian period, which carries a strong moral message.

Text of the poem on the verso:

For a Lady’s Toilet

To you who have beauty and wish not to spoil it

These lines are prescribed to furnish your toilet.

Be your Minor “Good sense” for there you may trace

The defects of your conduct, your carriage or face;

To smooth all your wrinkles, and frowns to prevent,

The best of all washes you’ll find is “Content”.

Take “Innocence” next, ’tis of white paint the best,

Is always becoming, and stands every test:

The sweet dews of “pity” pray always apply

To brighten your aspect, and moisten your eye:

For “Rouge” adopt “Modesty” – this will bestow

That bloom which your cheeks to virtue must owe:

For “lip salve” use “Cheerfulness” – then you may give

The color of ruby as long as you live:

In adorning your ears there’s an ancient invention,

The neatest of earrings – they call it “Attention”;

Thus adorned from your toilet with beauty you’ll use,

Admired and esteemed by the good and the wise;

This dress will become you at home and abroad

As the tone of “Reflection”, the height of the mode.