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Description:
Ref: 647WB http://hygra.com/box/647WB 

A rare late 18th Century  mahogany tambour or roll top writing box in the manner of a drawing in The Cabinet-Maker's London Book of Prices 1788.  by Thomas Shearer. having twin swan neck carrying handles. The lockable drawer which has a swan neck handle is connected to the role top. The box is restrained and without inlays or marquetry. The mechanism still works perfectly after 200 years. The stability is achieved by using a double-blind dovetail construction.  As the drawer is pulled out  the curved tambour top retracts into the box revealing the inkwells and curved pen-stand  at the same time allowing the sloping writing surface  to be opened down.

Origin: UK ;  Circa: 1800; Materials: mahogany .

Size:  35.5 cm wide by 26 cm by 19 cm:  14 inches wide by 10.5  inches by  7.5 inches.

Condition: good overall; working lock and key; see images

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As the drawer is pulled out  the curved tambour top retracts into the box revealing the inkwells.

The writing flap  is still covered in its original green baize.

The layout and the construction are similar to another box documented on our site: See:

A rare late 18th Century stained beech tambour top writing box

As the dovetail constructed drawer is opened the tambour top retracts revealing the compartment with inkwells. 

When closed the tambour top secures the writing surface shut.

The drawer has a swan neck handle. It can be secured shut with the lock, which has a working key.

When the drawer is pulled out it acts as a support for the sloping writing surface.

The drawer has a working lock and key.

The tambour top is composed of a series of molded slats. They have a sheet of canvas glued behind.

The underside is covered with the original period green baize.

In the compartment beneath the writing surface there are two small drawers of dovetail construction with satin-wood facings and small turned bone handles.

The small drawers are of dovetail construction. The cabinet makers marking lines are just visible. The inkwells  are not matching. They have period "Sheffield Plate" tops.

The satinwood facing is saw-cut veneer and about 1mm in thickness.

Detail: the slatted tambour which is made from molded slats fixed to a flexible canvas backing. The canvas acts as the hinge.