Description:
A box veneered in  rosewood, with brass edging, central  plate and side handles. It is of exceptionally high quality, which continues into the interior. It is lined in velvet, silk and gold embossed leather. It has two lift out trays and a drawer which is separately lockable.    

The box has a working Bramah lock and key.

 

Origin: United Kingdom

Circa: 1850

Materials: 

 Size: 13” x 9.5” 7.3" tall. 32cm x 24cm 18.5cm tall.  

Condition: overall good; the box retains its original finish which has some signs of wear and a few small losses.

The box has two keys the smaller key is for the Bramah type lock. The other is for the drawer.

The sprung levers of the lock are brought to the right positions by grooves cut in the barrel of the key rather than the flag 

 

The lock-plate is marked S. Mordan & CO Makers Patent  
London.

 Detail of the gold embossing  to the back of the lid. This opens down to a document wallet.

The document wallet is an example of very high quality leather work. All the edges are embossed.

There is a self standing mirror in the recess behind the document wallet.

 One of the trays is lined with velvet. The divisions are covered in dark green leather.

The other tray is covered in green leather which is decorated with gold embossing.

 Detail of the particularly fine gold embossing.

The embossing depicts trailing vines and anthemion in gold and formal floral patterns.

The central inlaid plate is engraved with two intertwined initials. These might be an I/J and E/F.

 The drawer is lined with green water silk with leather divisions . 

The drawer lock is marked: PATENT  and VR with a crown. VR stands for Victoria Regina.