Antique Military
Style Brass Bound Solid Mahogany Writing Box With Side Drawer Circa 1815
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high resolution
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The embossed
velvet writing surface is a Victorian replacement.
There is a large side drawer
secured by a brass pin.
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Under the writing flaps there
are the usual storage places for papers.
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The escutcheons both in front of the lock and the top are of ornate
shape with spear like fleur dis lis motif to the side.
The fleur-de-lis (also spelled fleur-de-lys; plural fleurs-de-lis or
-lys; an archaic spelling is fleur-de-luce) is used in heraldry, where
it is particularly associated with the French monarchy (see King of
France). The fleur-de-lis remains an unofficial symbol of France (along
with the Bees and the Napoleonic eagle), but has not been used as an
official symbol by the various French republics.
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The brass edging is held in place by small brass pins driven
in at an angle There is the odd dent in the brass. |
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As well as brass pins bolding the brass in place there is the
odd screw. both the pins and screws are ground flat to the surface.
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One of the flaps has its own lock
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The screw top inkwells are made in the traditional manner with cut
facets to the shoulders.
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Great attention to detail in
the Victorian replacement writing surface. The embossing echoes
the fleur dis lis motif.
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The flaps are constructed in the traditional manner with a
center piece of wood and two others with the grain running at
right angles joined by a tongue and grouve.
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There is a large side
drawer secured by a brass pin. To open the drawer the pin is withdrawn.
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The drawer as well as the entire box is of dovetail
construction.
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Detail: The marking lines for the hand cut dovetails are still visible.
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The main lock is a Victorian
replacement. It is stamped twice wit V.R. (Victoria Regina) and a crown
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Detail showing the lock removed. The Victorian lock is slightly
smaller and the mortise to accommodate it has been reduced in size.
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The lock has a one lever mechanism.
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The lever has to be brought to the correct height for the bolt to be
moved by the key.
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A
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The main Flap has its own lock.
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The felt on the underside is a replacement. |
All text and images and linked images are ©
1999-2012 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly. If you require any further
information on permitted use, or a licence to republish any material, email us
at copyright@hygra.com
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