{"product_id":"a-fine-c1860-collection-of-carved-bone-alphabet-letters-within-a-turned-ivory-box-af820","title":"A Fine c.1860 Collection of Carved Bone Alphabet Letters Within a Turned Ivory Box","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: English\u003cbr\u003ePeriod: Mid Nineteenth Century\u003cbr\u003eProvenance: Unknown\u003cbr\u003eDate: c.1850-70\u003cbr\u003eBase Diameter of Box: 2.25 inches\u003cbr\u003eThe Letters: 0.5 inches high (average)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe small turned ivory box with pull off cover revealing numerous carved bone lettering survives from the middle of the nineteenth century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe alphabet, including an ampersand, is missing five letters, D, J, K, L and Y and the lid of the turned box has become unstuck at one stage and re-applied. Otherwise the collection and the box are in as good as condition as you could wish, with a beautiful mellow patination to both ivory and bone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlphabet tiles or carved cut outs like these were used, along with hornbooks, to give children the first educational building blocks of the English language in the early Victorian period. It is difficult, however, to draw a clear line of differentiation between tuition and amusement, as many early games and puzzles had an underlying educational motive. Either way, the letters, and box for that matter, are clearly defined and beautifully crafted.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWonderfully tactile, wonderfully collectable, and if used imaginatively, wonderfully decorative.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Archive","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":52562595807512,"sku":"AF820","price":190.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/5800\/5784\/files\/main-image648.jpg?v=1787572256","url":"https:\/\/doeandhope.shop\/products\/a-fine-c1860-collection-of-carved-bone-alphabet-letters-within-a-turned-ivory-box-af820","provider":"doeandhope.shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}