Description:
Antique, early 19th Century brass edged box in figured rosewood by T. Briggs of 27 Piccadilly, London, with working Bramah lock, inset side carrying handles, having a velvet lined interior, two (replacement) lift out trays, embossed leather document wallet in lid, circa 1820.

Origin: UK, T Briggs, manufacturer, London 

Circa: 1820.

Materials: Rosewood Brass velvet. 

Size: 28.5 cm wide by 20.5cm by 15.5 cm:  11.2 inches wide by  8 inches by  6.1 inches.

Condition: very good overall with 2 replacement liftout trays working Bramah lock with key.

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 rosewood has a beautiful rich colour and evocative figure contrasting between almost black and rich golden brown.

Detail

 Inside the box is lined with velvet.

 The box has an original cut steel Bramah  barrel key.

 Inside the document wallet there is a label:

"T. Briggs,
(Manufacturer,)
No. 27
Piccadilly.

T Briggs is recorded at 27 Piccadilly London from 1818-1835.

 The rosewood has a beautiful rich colour and evocative figure contrasting between almost black and rich golden brown.

A

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/ 

 Even the underside is edged with rounded brass.