Sewing box 

jewelry-boxes

tea caddies

Anglo-Indian

Chinese- export

penwork

Tunbridgeware

papier-mâché

Snuff boxes 

terms

Advanced Search

Youtube Channel

contents

Description:
Ref: 864 WB   http://hygra.com/box/864WB-Bramah/ 

Solid mahogany brass bound writing box/ traveling desk, in the campaign/military style, with secure Bramah lock. Inside, under one of the flaps, the box is labeled by Joseph  Bramah and was probably sold  from his shop in Piccadilly. The lock is stamped J.Bramah with a crown.
Inside there are compartments for writing needs: pens and inkwells.  The inkwells are period. The secret drawers can be accessed only when the lock is locked and a rod is inserted pressing levers. 

Origin: UK;  Circa: 1815; Materials: mahogany, brass .

Size: 55.6 cm 28 wide by cm by 17.1 cm:  22  inches wide by 11   inches by  6.7  inches.

Condition: good overall; working lock and key; see images

Keywords: Hygra.com, Antique box, Bramah lock, Bramah Label, 5 slider, Secret drawers, dovetail construction, Piccadilly

Request current  list of available sewing boxes with prices.
Request current  list of available writing boxes with prices.
Request current  list of available jewelry boxes with prices.
Request current  list of available tea caddies with prices.

boxes@hygra.com

The desk is constructed with solid mahogany and has brass held in place by small pins. The wood is joined with dovetail joins.

Joseph Bramah 

was born in in 1748 into a Yorkshire farming family. When he was 16, an accident left him lame. Unable to continue farm work he was apprenticed to the village carpenter. 

He came to London as a journeyman cabinetmaker . 

The escutcheon is part of the lock.  

The lock-plate is stamped J.Bramah with a crown.

" J. BRAMAH & SON,
Patent-Engine, Lock & Press,
MANUFACTURERS.
West end of Piccadilly
--LONDON. --
Portable Desks, Boxes &c. "

Bramah opened his shop at 124 Piccadilly in 1784. 

It was at the time 14 Piccadilly. He lived there with his wife Mary Lawton who he married the year before.

See:  http://www.hygra.com/locks/Bramah/ 

 

The secret drawers are accessed by locking the lock and inserting a rod through the lock.

The sprung panel which conceals the secret drawers in the closed position.

As well as the  places for inkwells there is a concave pen tray and two lidded compartments. The lids are veneered with coromandel ebony and have inlaid brass lines and turned brass pulls. 

Unusually for this date  the inside has been finished with  a shellac spirit varish. 

Inside the panel there is the spring and the catch. All the screws point in the same direction.

The box has countersunk brass carrying handles. They are of skeletal form which was only employed at the beginning of  19th C. The handles are secured by iron screws which have been ground flat o the surface.

A

In this image the catch is visible. It is connected to the opening mechanism by levers by the rod inserted through  the lock.

In this image the catch is visible. It is connected to the opening mechanism by levers by the rod inserted through  the lock.

The secret drawers are of dovetail construction.

The various parts of the lock have been cast and milled. The circular lines indicate lathe finishing.

 The lock is stamped J.Bramah with a crown.

A

It has been stamped BB.

A

A

Without the lock in place the hole for the rod which triggers the secret drawers is vizible.  

The lids are veneered with coromandel. The turned brass pulls are unusual as is the raised brass line.

More usually if there are inlaid brass lines they are ground flat with the surface. 

The box has two associated period inkwells. This example is Sheffield plate. 

The inkwell has hinged  lid which is secured and tightened with screw catch.

The other inkwell has ground sides  to the bottle and a screw lid.

The box has countersunk brass carrying handles. They are of skeletal form which was only employed at the beginning of  19th C. The handles are secured by iron screws which have been ground flat o the surface.

When it is used the handles fold out from the box.

The facings are inlaid with brass. This further strengthens the corners. The surface ground brass pins which help to hold the brass are just visible. 

The surface ground brass pins which help to hold the brass are just vizible.

Tea Caddy Gallery with animation update: Thumbnail Gallery of Tea Caddies

 

 

Sewing Box Gallery with animation update: Thumbnail Gallery of Sewing boxes

    

 

Writing Box Gallery with animation update: Thumbnail Gallery of Writing boxes and slopes

 

Jewelry Box Gallery with Animation update: Thumbnail Gallery of Jewelry boxes and Dressing boxes