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Description:
A triple opening rosewood veneered box, edged and strung in brass. The box combines strength, elegance, and impeccable workmanship in the Regency tradition.
Rosewood boxes of this form are more unusual that their mahogany cousins. This is the only example with a reading stand we have come accross.

The box has  a Tompson patent lock  it also has original inkwells

Origin: United Kingdom

Circa: 1825.

Materials: rosewood and brass on a mahogany and pine structure.

Size: 51cm by 26.8 cm by 18 cm: 20 inches by 10.6 inches by 7 inches.

Condition: good overall

See:

Exceptional Regency Rosewood Triple Opening Writing Box circa 1825

 

Detail of the brass edging and inlay.

The escutcheon is gilded brass and reads Tompson Patent see below

The lock-plate  is stamped GR patent with a crown  and Tompson.

Tompson, William, Patent Lock Mkr, Key Stamper, Bull St is recorded in Wrightson's Triennial Directory 1818  

We have also seen another important writing box  which was a bit earlier with the lock  marked "Tompson and Lambley --GR Patent".  Both locks have similarities. We don't yet know  if all 3 "Tompsons" are the same, but it seems likely.

See:  Rare brassbound Captains box of beautifully figured mahogany, having a screw-down mechanism

 

   

 

The lock is special in that it has a triple action. 

In the open position the tennon is flush with the lockplate. 

As the key is turned the lock tennon  and a positioning rod first emerge from the lock plate. As the key continues to be turned the tennon moves to the left and latches on to the upper plate securing the box in the locked position

 

Lock in open position

Lock in engaged position

Lock in locked position

The box retains its original embossed leather writing surface.

 Detail of the fine gold embossed top flap. This folds down and has a document pouch behind. 

 The box has two brass risers enabling it to be  used as a bookstand. The brass riser was referred to in  Thomas Shearer The Cabinet-Makers London Book of Prices 1788. 

 A detachable molded piece is used to stop the book sliding down. When not in use this is kept inside the box.

The reading stand mechanism  is not in most boxes. This is the only triple opening box we have found with it.

 The box has a pare of silver plate screw top inkwells.

The top flap opens to a paper compartment. 

At the back there are  rosewood faced secret drawers which are revealed with a spring mechanism.