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Papier mâché writing slope painted with figures in an Egyptian temple. The light values of the work are enhanced with the use of mother of pearl inlay. It is stamped JENNENS & BETTRIDGE. An unusual theme for such work, it is influenced by the last phase of neoclassicism and the interest in Egyptian antiquities. Both the straight form and the theme point to a relatively early piece.  Circa 1825-30.

Origin: UK ;  Circa: 1830 ; Materials: Papier mâché.

Size: 32.5 cm wide by 24.8cm by 8.8 cm:  12.8  inches wide by   9.8 inches by  3.5  inches.

Condition: good overall; working lock and key; some losses to decoration see images
As each person has different criteria and antiques by their very nature have wear  please enlarge the images and ask for extra information as needed. 

Keywords: Jennens & Bettridge, writing box, painted mother of pearl, papier mâché, japanned, Egypt, Neoclassic, Victorian,

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In 1816, Jennens and Bettridge, arguably the most successful of all papier mâché manufacturers, moved into what had been Clay's Birmingham factory. During the first decade of their existence as a firm, Jennens and Bettridge established an ethos of excellence in the decoration of their work.

An unusual theme for such work, it is influenced by the last phase of neoclassicism and the interest in Egyptian antiquities.

The hinges are specially made for the box

The box has a pair of period  inkwells.

There is gold decoration to the facings.

Jennens and Bettridge sought to improve other methods of decoration. One of their employees, George Souter found a superior way of shaping mother of pearl, by using strong acid instead of scissors or cutting tools. This enabled the outline of the shell to be cut with greater precision and it made it possible to cut several identical shapes at the same time. Birmingham had a thriving industry in mother of pearl buttons, so there was a plethora of nautilus shell imported into the area. In 1825, the firm of Jennens and Bettridge took out a patent for "application of materials of the jewelry trade" for the purpose of "ornamenting papier-mâché with pearl shell".

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The sides are decorated with gold.

There is evidence on the bottom that it was once covered with cloth. This would have covered the embossed Jennens & Bettridge  stamp.

The box is embossed to the base "JENNENS & BETTRIDGE".