Thumbnail index of picturesAntique Brass Bound Solid Mahogany triple Opening Writing Box With Side Drawer and secret drawers Circa 1840

www.hygra.com Antique Boxes and tea caddies.

Antique Brass Bound Solid Mahogany triple Opening Writing Box With Side Drawer and secret drawers Circa 1840
Main page and full description

| thumbnail index | slide show

Description:
Ref: 868WB http://hygra.com/box/868WB

Brass bound solid mahogany triple opening writing box of dovetail construction in the military style with countersunk carrying handles. The lid has a blind and gold embossed Morocco leather document wallet. There is a large side drawer secured by a brass pin through the facing. There are two period inkwells with a special design to avoid leaks. Beneath the pen tray and inkwells there are three secret drawers with turned and carved mother of pearl pulls concealed behind a sprung panel which is released by pressing the side of the box.

Origin: UK; Circa: 1840 ; Materials: Mahogany, Brass leather.

Size: 50.5 cm wide by 26 cm by 18.6 cm: 19.9 inches wide by 10.2 inches by 7.3 inches.

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

Keywords: Hygra.com, Antique box, traveling desk, writing box, secret drawers, brass inlay, lap desk, Military style, Campaign box, embossed leather,

Request current list of available sewing boxes with prices.
Request current list of available writing boxes with prices.
Request current list of available jewelry boxes with prices.
Request current list of available tea caddies with prices.

boxes@hygra.com

Click to send email request for current list with prices

The Eliza writing slope: an unique satinwood writing slope with both fine marquetry and inlay depicting trailing convolvulus. ( wikipedia.org/wiki/Convolvulus ) This is an artwork of love. The top is solid satinwood and inlaid. the sides have a saw-cut veneer of about 1mm. The accuracy of the marquetry is truly skillful. On the front there is a depiction of oak branches laden with acorns crossed. The slope opens down to a velvet (replacement) writing surface and the usual compartments for inkwells and pens. Under the writing surface there is the usual place for paper storage and a nest of three drawers of part dovetail construction. This is not a manufactured piece, but rather a work of love by a now anonymous craftsman for his beloved Eliza who was clearly interested in flora. Circa 1830

A restrained figured rosewood writing box with inlaid accents and lines in brass. The design of the inlay is of highly stylised flora, suggesting neoclassical designs hinting at palmette and (on the top) anthemion motifs. The juxtaposition of dark wood with bold brass inlay was popular in the early part of the 19th century. The wood and the bright brass were mutually enhancing. The Prince Regent (later George IV) commissioned such work for his Royal palaces:. more details

Rare polychrome penwork writing slope the center of the top depicting a trading caravan on the Silk Road. A central trader is aloft an elephant with outriders on horseback. This is one of the "classic" penwork compositions There is another version of this image on http://www.hygra.com/penwork/pen2tc.htm The surround and the sides are painted in a more formal manner albeit with flowers and leaves. The blooms are are stylized and the arrangement is symmetrical and orderly in the neoclassical manner of the late 18th Century. The box dates from the short pivotal period between neoclassism and naturalism

All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2015 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly. If you require any further information on permitted use, or a licence to republish any material, email us at copyright@hygra.com