Description:
A mid 19th century coromandel, brass edged, box with sprung drawer, fitted for jewelry, the upper part having a liftout velvet lined tray (replacement) with a cartouche bearing an armorial crest  of an antlerless  hind. The box has a working SELF-LOCKING Bramah lock with key, circa 1840. 

Origin: UK probably London.

Circa: 1840

Size: 29.2cm wide by 22.3 cm by 16.4cm:  13.8 inches wide by  10.4 inches by  6.7 inches.

Condition: good overall; some damage to coromandel on front near the drawer edges and above the lock, see image. 

A

Sideways view: the replacement tray is fitted for jewelry with two ring holders.

In the center of the top is a cartouche finely engraved with a crest of a hind dear without anthers.   

 All the outside edges are inlaid with rounded brass which is both decorative and protects the edges. These boxes were designed to hold personal possessions when traveling.

The brass is fixed to the box with glue and brass nails which are driven in at an  angle.

 Detail of the Bramah lock which is self locking. If the key is withdrawn and left inside the box, a locksmith is needed.  

 In the center of the back facing is a button which releases the sprung drawer,

 which is dovetail constructed of mahogany. The front is veneered with coromandel, sometimes called macasser ebony. It is saw cut and overall about 1mm in thickness. Coromandel varies in colour from gold through to a brown black.

There is some damage to coromandel on front near the drawer edges and above the lock. The figuring of the coromandel is particularly good.