Alex's Box

Celebrating a birthday

I was entrusted with a very special birthday commission to commemorate 40 years of life. The gift takes the shape of a box full of treasures and memories; every component crafted with the recipient's 'story' in mind.

The Box

The box, inspired by vintage luggage, is bound in leather by Gavin Rookledge and comprises of three interior layers lined in rose pink suede. The exterior is embellished with silver work to lend the piece an art-deco feel and is set with cabouchon rose quartz and iolite.

Jewellery inspired by the world

In the first layer you find two jewellery boxes, the first containing an Algerian love knot necklace engraved with the wedding date. The other houses a charm bracelet to represent childhood & memories.

The centrepiece of the top layer is a mermaid's hand mirror to reflect island life; covered in fish skin and adorned with maritime charms.

Shelley Thomas was commissioned to make the heavy light-hearted steel dice on it’s equally weighty silver gemset stand.

Personal treasures

The middle tray holds a silver oak bowl with it’s second skin of turned Norfolk burr oak and represents family. The red leather chocolate box with it’s silver ribbon stores seven life-size chocolates which twist open to reveal trinkets from inscribed silver doggy bones to friendship rings.

Glass Perfume Bottles

The three exquisite perfume bottles nestled in the bottom layer are hand-blown by Martin Andrews, they represent the children. The silver collars are engraved with their names and are set with peridot, amethyst and citrine to compliment the vivid colours of the glass and are adorned with books, halos and feathers; suggestive of their characters.