Antique Box Guide

Ruching is originally a French term meaning to gather, ruffle or pleat. Most often seen in the lids of jewellery boxes and dressing cases, ruching is a technique by which velvet or silk is gathered up to form patterns of ruffles. These ruched panels are often softly padded and can be used to hold decorative pins and brooches. This particular technique was used throughout most of the 19th century.

Velvet ruching in the lid of an Asprey antique jewellery box.

Asprey Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood.

Velvet ruching taken from a Howell, James & Co. antique jewellery box.

Antique Jewellery Box in Amboyna, by Howell, James & Co.