Alexander Ritchie of Iona - Arts & Crafts Brass String Tidy

In 1898 at the age of 42, Alexander Ritchie married Euphemia Thompson.

They met while studying at the famous Glasgow School of Art, and the couple then went to live for the rest of their lives on the remote Scottish Isle of Iona.

Here they produced fabulous Celtic Revival Arts & Crafts items including gorgeous silver jewellery, hand beaten copper and brass items, and carved wooden pieces.

There is a great tribute website to their lives and work here: http://www.alexander-ritchie.co.uk

This stunning little architectural shaped lidded box is about 3.5in high, and a similar size square at the base. Although unsigned, the designs are distinctively by the Ritchies, and are seen on several of their other pieces.

I bought this from a dealer for not much. Not only did he not recognise the workmanship, he couldn't work out its function.

It's a "string tidy". Drop in a ball of string and pull the end out through the fine letter-box slit made along one of the top rims under the lid. It's very practical and sits on my desk where I use it all the time.

Never seen another!