{"product_id":"estatefreshaustincom-1577","title":"C1820 Draisine Early Bicycle Battersea Box from Eleanor Roosevelt Estate","description":"C1820 Draisine Early Bicycle Battersea Box from Eleanor Roosevelt Estate. 2.25\"\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;x 2 1\/8\" x 1\" with some damage to the enamel on the base as shown, the top is\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;perfect. This is an extremely rare box and a rare early portrayal of one of the\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;first bicycles.\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;Battersea boxes developed in the mid 18th century as tiny decorative containers\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;covered with enamel or porcelain and decorated with pleasing designs. Originally\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;the boxes were made of copper covered with white enamel, decorated with\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;classical or scenes or portraits. They evolved over time to become more\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;sentimental.\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;The Battersea box got its name from a firm under the tutelage of Sir Stephen\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;Theodore Janssen, Once Lord Mayor of London at York House in Battersea. The\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;boxes were decorated by transfer printing, which took an impression from an\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;engraved plate painted with enamel and printed on to the box which was then hand\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;painted and fired. The firm existed only from 1753 to 1756 however other firms\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;producing similar boxes, especially those in the village of Bilston, took up\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;this technique. Battersea became the collective name for all such boxes.\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;With advancements in the pottery industry due to the Industrial Revolution,\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;Battersea boxes gradually fell from favour. Allowing small boxes to be produced\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;at less cost than the enameled competitors made Battersea boxes decline\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;significantly by the mid 19th century. They became popular again in the second\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;half of the 20th century with the development of commemorative boxes produced\u0026lt;br\u0026gt;for such well known firms as Tiffany \u0026amp; Co.","brand":"sale - www.estatefreshaustin.com Estate Fresh Austin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49187579068632,"sku":"16709443589_16AD","price":805.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/6284\/7960\/files\/c1820-draisine-early-bicycle-battersea-box-from-eleanor-roosevelt-estateestate-fresh-austin-679600.png?v=1757919897","url":"https:\/\/estatefreshaustin.com\/id\/products\/estatefreshaustincom-1577","provider":"Estate Fresh Austin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}