Betjemann Patent Mechanisms

From 1859, based at 36, 38 & 40 Pentonville Road, London, George Betjemann and his two sons, George William Betjemann and John Betjemann, started to take the art of cabinet and box making to new creative heights. Under the business name of George Betjemann & Sons, they began to patent their innovative and ever-evolving designs and mechanisms. Specific to their range of ‘extending’ or ‘expanding’ dressing cases and boxes, there were two particularly impressive types of patented mechanism – the ‘Automatic’ mechanism and the ‘Angle-Wing’ mechanism.

Betjemann’s ‘Automatic’ Mechanism

Patents 28, 37, 73, 89, 93, 98, 144, 150, 164, 229, 238, 261

This mechanism operates so that as the lid of the box is raised, the two winged side trays and the front panel automatically open out simultaneously; this action is then reversed as the lid is lowered.

Betjemann’s Patent 37 ‘Automatic’ mechanism.

Betjemann’s Patent 37 ‘Automatic’ opening mechanism.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism by Leuchars.

Betjemann’s Patent 93 ‘Automatic’ mechanism.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent ‘Automatic’ Mechanism, by Leuchars.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent ‘Automatic’ Mechanism by Howell, James & Co.

Betjemann’s Patent 238 ‘Automatic’ opening mechanism (left side).

Betjemann’s Patent 238 ‘Automatic’ opening mechanism (right side).

Copy of Betjemann’s original patent documentation for their ‘Automatic’ opening mechanism – Page 1.

Copy of Betjemann’s original patent documentation for their ‘Automatic’ opening mechanism – Page 2.

Copy of Betjemann’s original patent documentation for their ‘Automatic’ opening mechanism – Page 3.

Copy of Betjemann’s original patent documentation for their ‘Automatic’ opening mechanism – Page 4.

Copy of Betjemann’s original patent drawings for their ‘Automatic’ opening mechanism.

Betjemann’s ‘Angle Wing’ Mechanism

Patents 6, 41, 45, 54, 59, 61, 75, 78, 101, 117, 132, 151, 168, 228

This mechanism enables the box to cantilever out and open into six compartmented tiers.

The front panel of the box drops forward.

The top two compartments cantilever out at 90 degrees.

Secondary lower spring-loaded compartments cantilever out, operated by a sliding push button. The top two compartments have now swung round to the 180 degree position.

Concealed spring-loaded drawers are released from the front of the secondary compartments, operated by push buttons.

Betjemann’s ‘Angle Wing’ mechanism.

Asprey Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism.

Betjemann’s ‘Angle Wing’ mechanism.

Betjemann's patented cantilever split-hinge.

Betjemann’s patented split-hinge. With the front catch depressed, the spring-loaded rod protruding from the hinge (centre of the photo) pushes the secondary compartment out to a 90 degree position. This compartment is inhibited from travelling beyond the 90 degree position due to the inlaid brass stop plate (lower left corner of the photo). The top part of the split-hinge allows the top compartment to open out to the 180 degree position.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism, by Asprey.

Betjemann Patent mechanism - spring-loaded lower drawer.

A push-button to the rear of the secondary compartment deploys the concealed, spring-loaded lower drawer.

George Betjemann & Sons patent stamp plate.

Other important Betjemann Patent designs included ‘The Tantalus’ spirit and perfume stands (believed to have been conceived by John Betjemann), the ‘Self-Closing Book Slide’, the ‘Partners Inkwell’, the ‘Lockable Decanter’, the ‘Extending Dressing Case’ and ‘Extending Dressing Table’, the ‘Double Winged Cabinet of Games’, the ‘En Garde’ lock, the ‘Triple Opening Travelling Bag’, the ‘Quadruple Opening Travelling Bag’, the ‘Lift Out Well Travelling Bag’, the ‘Reverse Opening Travelling Bag’, the ‘Equipoise Candlestick’ and many other inventive adaptations to box, cabinet and lock mechanisms.

Betjemann’s Equipoise candlesticks in their stowed position within the lid compartment. These candlesticks have three articulated joints: The lower articulation allows the candlestick to swing down from the lid section. The middle articulation allows the candlestick to swing left, right, up and down. The top articulation allows the candlestick and sconce to move left, right, up and down.