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Description:
A  Fine Rosewood writing slope the top in two parts and having a fielded panel framed with gadrooning and inlaid with engraved mother of pearl depicting a kilted Highland soldier complete with Scottish broadsword. There are further inlays to the corners depicting the Scottish thistle. The slope opens up to reveal the original dark maroon embossed leather writing surface

Origin: United Kingdom possibly Scotland. 

Circa: 1830

Materials:

Size: 35.5cm by 25.5cm tapering from 10cm to 7cm: 14 inches by 10 inches tapering from 4inches to 2.8inches.

Condition:  Very good with original embossed leather writing tablet, two original inkwells, and working lock and key. There is some wear to the leather across the join. 

There are further inlays to the corners depicting the Scottish thistle. These two are finely engraved.

Detail: The  kilted Highland soldier with hackled bonnet on his head and broadsword aloft. His sporran  his targe (shield) and tartan are all visible.  

See: Sir Walter Scott, Waverly Novels. chapter XV first published in 1814 

"The Highlanders of an early period were afraid of cannon, with the noise and effect of which they were totally unacquainted. It was by means of three or four small pieces of artillery that the Earls of Huntly and Errol, in James VI’s time, gained a great victory at Glenlivat, over a numerous Highland army, commanded by the Earl of Argyle. At the battle of the Bridge of Dee, General Middleton obtained by his artillery a similar success, the Highlanders not being able to stand the discharge of Musket’s Mother, which was the name they bestowed on great guns. In an old ballad on the battle of the Bridge of Dee these verses occur: —

"The Highlandmen are pretty men
For handling sword and shield,
But yet they are but simple men
To stand a stricken field.

The Highlandmen are pretty men
For target and claymore,
But yet they are but naked men
To face the cannon’s roar.

For the cannons roar on a summer night
Like thunder in the air;
Was never man in Highland garb
Would face the cannon fair"

 

etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/s/scott/walter/ waverley/complete.html 

 The escutcheon is shield shaped

The slope opens up to reveal the original dark maroon embossed leather writing surface

 The leather writing surface is beautifully embossed

 The upper part has arrangements to hold pens and two original inkwells.

Under the flap is a compartment for paper.