Ivory work box of Laura Wilks
Date made: early 19th century
Description: Workbox of Ivory: belonged to Miss Laura Wilks afterwards Lady Buchan, eldest daughter of Colonel Mark Wilks. Born 1797, died 1888.
Laura Wilks was present with her father on St Helena when he superintended the exile of Napoleon Bonaparte. It is said that Colonel Wilks and the former emperor had many conversations, and the latter was enchanted by Laura who was reported to be of great beauty. Colonel Wilks spent a great deal of time in India, and met Laura's mother there, so this may be the original source of the box. Colonel Wilks bought his slave Samuel Ally to the Isle of Man from St Helena and granted him his freedom. Samuel died aged just 18 and was buried in Kirk Braddan churchyard, with his gravestone being paid for by Wilks.
The donor Sir Mark Collet was one of the wealthiest men in Britain in the 1930s. His father had been governor of the Bank of England, and he lived at Ballamanaugh, Sulby in the interwar years. The name Collett was originally Corlett, and a man of this name married Ann Wilks, an aunt or great aunt of Laura. See PG13366 for a portrait of Laura Wilks.
Measurements: overall: 24 x 29 x 10 cm
Materials: ivory
Object name: Work Box
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1954-5325