Description:
JB555:  A particularly large brass edged  top quality box veneered with almost black coromandel (ebony)  and having inset brass carrying handles  Bramah lock  which also secures the drawer. The box retains its original velvet lined liftout tray. There is a silk lined tooled leather document wallet in the lid as well as a framed mirror and a space for another mirror. The box is lined with its original leather and velvet. Circa 1850.

Origin: UK.  Circa: 1850. 

Size:  34.5 cm wide by 25 cm by  18.5 cm:  13.6 inches wide by  9.8 inches by  7.3 inches.

Condition: see pictures  Good overall;  working lock with replacement key.

Please click on images to enlarge

The box has rounded brass  to all eight edges which are affixed with  small brass pins ground flat with the surface. This form of brass is both structural and decorative. The almost black coromandel  (ebony) has a beautiful rich colour. 

There are countersunk brass carrying handles to the sides.

The  patented Brahma lock. 

To engage the key is pushed into the lock. 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.  This results in a very neat small key.

An interesting and unusual feature is that the main lock also locks the drawer. 

 

The box retains its original velvet lined liftout tray. 

 The top is inlaid with a symmetrical flowing inlay in brass. This may be intertwined letters; but if so, I do not know which. 

The Bramah lock gave a new level of security to boxes. The presence of a Bramah lock which were complicated to manufacture is almost a sure sign that the box with it was intended for the quality end of the market.  

See: http://www.hygra.com/locks/Bramah/ 

 

The lock plate is stamped with " a crown VR Bramah"

and  "a crown VR Patent."  

The VR stands for Victoria Regina.

An interesting and unusual feature is that the main lock also locks the drawer. 

 

 Detail of the drawer which is fitted for jewelry. 

An interesting and unusual feature is that the main lock also locks the drawer. The lock has two bolts which move in unison when the key is turned.

 The box has  stop hinges which are gilded. The gilding avoids tarnish and gives an extra glamour.

 Behind the silk lined document wallet there is a place for a hand mirror.

 The box  retains its original lift out self-standing mirror. The mirroring has deteriorated with a sort of crazing. There is something almost magical about old mirrors which do not show your own face clearly. I always find myself wondering if I can see all the other faces that have looked in the mirror. 

 Detail of the tooling on the document wallet.