Description:
A box veneered in  highly figured rosewood, by Halstaff of Regent Street. with brass corners and strapping, central countersunk carrying handle plate and side handles. It is of exceptionally high quality, which continues into the interior. It is lined in velvet, silk and  leather. The water silk in the top compartment is a later replacement. The box has  a drawer which is separately lockable. The drawer retains its original divisions and linings.  

Origin: UK

Circa: 1850.

Materials: Rosewood, brass.

Size: 32cm wide by 25cm by 17cm:  12.6 inches wide by  10 inches by  6.7 inches.

Condition: Good over all, working locks and keys.

The box has rounded edges which is a feature of Halstaff's work.

The cushioning in the drawer is green silk. the central compartment is for holding rings.

There is a document wallet in the lid. it is faced with ruched green velvet framed with gold embossed leather.

The document wallet is labeled
 "Halstaff, Manufacturer, of Writing & Dressing Cases, Ladies Work Boxes &c &c 228 Regent Street. Late of Margaret St."

HALSTAFF AND HANNAFORD: Manufacturers 228 Regent St . Another firm straddling the time between the Regency and the time of Victoria , making exceptional quality glamorous boxes. Emphasis on strengthening with brass corners, brass surrounds.

See: pages  255, 294 Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society, 1700--1880 
Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, ISBN: 0764316885.

Another example of a box with the Halstaff label is: http://hygra.com/dressing/index.html 

 Detail of the tooled leather document wallet.

 The figuring of the rosewood with striations of dark golden brown through to almost black is particularly beautiful.

There is a countersunk brass carrying handle in the center of the top.

 Detail of the rounded brass corners which are a particular Halstaff feature. The brass is. All six edges of the box are rounded.