Antique writing Box with marquetry in rosewood and bird's eye maple

Circa 1840

A superb and in wonderful condition, antique writing box / lap desk, the top and front decorated with marquetry in contrasting maple and birds eye rosewood depicting stylized themes from nature.

The marquetry has a glass like sheen. There are no flaws nor marks upon this wood which is very smooth to the touch.

The marquetry on this box draws its inspiration from native plants. The treatment is  formal. Note the strong treatment of the fern pattern.

There are compartments for holding paper under the flaps.

Condition: very good condition. There are no faults nor flaws to this wonderful antique.
Overall - this is an excellent - antique - box shaped writing slope that is in pristine condition and is a beautiful object in its own right. It comes with its fully operational lock and key - and there is plenty of space to store many private documents.

The writing surface is new.

The ink pot featured is not the original but is a reproduction of the same era - and slots in exactly to the compartment. The ink pot is cubed glass with a brass collar and a brass screw topped lid - this ink pot is in pristine condition.

Size: 40,5cm by 23cm by 12,5cm: 16 inches by 8,5 inches by 5 inches.

Weight aproximately: 3 kg

Rosewood and brass writing slope box

Victorian era. Circa 1860

A superb and in wonderful condition - antique Rosewood box writing slope that is of very high quality and is so well preserved. There are no faults nor flaws to this wonderful antique and it has great character.

The rosewood has a glass like sheen. There are no flaws no marks upon this wood which is very smooth to the touch. With lavish brass inlay decoration and complete with secret drawers.

Overall - this is an excellent - antique - Victorian box shaped writing slope that is in pristine condition and is a beautiful object in its own right. It comes with its fully operational lock and key - and there is plenty of space to store many private documents.

 Approx Dimensions: 45,5cm x 25,5cm x 17cm

Georgian solid mahogany writing slope box

Circa 1820

Georgian solid mahogany writing slope with brass corners.

A superb and in wonderful condition - antique - Georgian c1820s - Mahogany box writing slope that is of very high quality and is so well preserved. There are no faults nor flaws to this wonderful antique and it has great character.

The mahogany has a glass like sheen. There are no flaws nor marks upon this wood which is very smooth to the touch. The brass corners are perfect.

The slope covers is new.

The inks pots featured is not the original but is a reproduction of the same era - and slots in exactly to the compartment. The inks pots is cubed glass with a brass collar and a brass screw topped lid - this inks pots is in pristine condition.

Overall - this is an excellent - antique - Georgian box shaped writing slope that is in pristine condition and is a beautiful object in its own right. It comes with its fully operational lock and key - and there is plenty of space to store many private documents.

Measures: 40,5 cm x 23,5 cm x 12 cm  (approximately 16,2" x 9,4" x 4,8")

Weight aproximately: 3 kg

Antique writing Box with marquetry in rosewood and bird's eye maple

Circa 1840

A superb and in wonderful condition, antique writing box / lap desk, the top and front decorated with marquetry in contrasting maple and birds eye rosewood depicting stylized themes from nature.

The marquetry has a glass like sheen. There are no flaws nor marks upon this wood which is very smooth to the touch.

The marquetry on this box draws its inspiration from native plants. The treatment is  formal. Note the strong treatment of the fern pattern.

There are compartments for holding paper under the flaps.

Condition: very good condition. There are no faults nor flaws to this wonderful antique.
Overall - this is an excellent - antique - box shaped writing slope that is in pristine condition and is a beautiful object in its own right. It comes with its fully operational lock and key - and there is plenty of space to store many private documents.

The writing surface is new.

The ink pot featured is not the original but is a reproduction of the same era - and slots in exactly to the compartment. The ink pot is cubed glass with a brass collar and a brass screw topped lid - this ink pot is in pristine condition.

Size: 40,5cm by 25cm by 13cm: 16 inches by 9,5 inches by 5 inches.

Weight aproximately: 3 kg

Grain figuring does not come any better then this.

It is box in with broad bands of Kingwood, the veneers are perfect.

The box is made from exotic and very expensive Rosewood with it's decorative graining and attractive rich colouring. The top is beautifully inlaid with pewter stringing including a central plaque acting as a cartouche, which could be engraved if desired.

It has two ink wells very much of that age.

I would think the lock is a replacement, it is French and the box is English.

Measures: 14x9x5 ins ; 35 cm x 22,5 cm x 12,5 cm

Weighs: 3kg

Quality 19th Century Military Campaign Camphor Wood Roll Top Writing Slope

Circa 1850

This is a rare example of a beautiful antique colonial Camphor wood brass bound military roll top writing box, circa 1850, in excellent condition.

Specification

• Item Roll Top Writing Box

• Circa 1850

• Wood Camphor Wood

• Period Victorian

• Provenance India / Singapore

• Brass bound box

• Brass inset side carrying handles

• Ebonized string inlay

• Large drawer below box

• Sliding roll-top section

• Fold out hinged writing slope

• Internal pop-up cabinet

• Multiple pigeon holes & cupboard

• Working locks and keys

• Original camphor “straight edge” ruler

• Secret compartment

• Central locking cupboard

• Dovetail construction

• Original polish & patination

• Excellent condition

This is a rare example of a beautiful antique colonial Camphor wood brass bound military roll top writing box, circa 1850, in excellent condition. The box boasts a brass binding to the corner edges, a central brass plaque to the fall, flush brass inset carrying handles to the sides, with one smaller brass inset handle to the front lower drawer. The lower drawer features a working lock and key. The fall and the front of the box incorporates ebonised string inlay. There is a stunning grain configuration and colour to the wood on the fall and front of the writing box.

As the lower drawer is pulled open, this activates the roll top mechanism at the top of the box to slide back to reveal a pop-up cabinet. Opening the front fall reveals a sloping writing station which has been lined with a new writing surface. The interior features the original camphor “straight edge” circular wooden ruler (used for writing) along with a variety of inkwells and a central pen tray. A secret compartment can be accessed by lifting up the top edge of the baize. Lifting the cabinet upwards, until the wooden spring levers either side lock it into place, locks the pop-up section to reveal a central cupboard and drawer (with a working locking & key) flanked by miniature concertina sliding doors. When the concertina doors are opened, it reveals a host of pigeonholes. Pressing the side levers inwards lowers the pop-up section.

Such a writing box would have been used in the British colonies, either on land or sea. The fact that it is constructed of camphor wood suggests its origin is Indian and most likely commissioned for a high-ranking British Officer who would have used this box during the period of the Raj. All quality colonial artefacts were usually constructed of camphor wood.

This box is a truly classic example from the Victorian period in colonial India or the Eastern colonies such as Singapore or Hong Kong. The level of detail and craftsmanship displayed is second to none. It is rare to see an example, which is in excellent condition.

The box features a mellow camphor wood colour. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic colour and patination this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received. This truly is a very beautiful item with quality construction. It is rare to see one in such good condition.

Dimensions

Height = 23cm or 9 1/2”

Width = 52.9cm or 20⅞” or 1ft 8⅞”

Depth = 42.8cm or 16⅞” or 1ft 4⅞”

Antique writing Box with marquetry in rosewood and bird's eye maple

Circa 1840

A superb and in wonderful condition, antique writing box / lap desk, the top and front decorated with marquetry in contrasting rosewood and birds eye maple depicting stylized themes from nature.

The marquetry has a glass like sheen. There are no flaws nor marks upon this wood which is very smooth to the touch.

The marquetry on this box draws its inspiration from native plants. The treatment is  formal. Note the strong treatment of the fern pattern.

There are compartments for holding paper under the flaps.

Condition: very good condition. There are no faults nor flaws to this wonderful antique.
Overall - this is an excellent - antique - box shaped writing slope that is in pristine condition and is a beautiful object in its own right. It comes with its fully operational lock and key - and there is plenty of space to store many private documents.

The writing surface is new.

The ink pot featured is not the original but is a reproduction of the same era - and slots in exactly to the compartment. The ink pot is cubed glass with a brass collar and a brass screw topped lid - this ink pot is in pristine condition.

Size: 40,5cm by 25cm by 13cm: 16 inches by 9,5 inches by 5 inches.

Weight aproximately: 3 kg

Exceptional Georgian Mahogany Triple Opening Writing Box.

Circa 1790

Georgian triple fold mahogany writing box in exceptional condition. Circa 1790

Completely restored.

Original inset brass corners, cartouche and side handles all firmly attached with the original screw fixings. 

The office section comprises of a replacement central pen tray with storage space beneath, wafer slope and two inkwell sections complete with a matching pair of replacement brass screw top inkwells.

Original mahogany writing surface for writing letters with the front folding forward to provide the main sloping writing surface .

Storage spaces beneath both sections of the writing surfaces. Access to the two original secret drawers by sliding up the original concealing panel.

These triple fold writing boxes were almost exclusively made pre 1830 when boxes tended to be of a more solid construction. The style offered maximum storage and the option of privacy when writing by way of the lid. 

Unpacked weight: 5 Kg

Sizes: 40cm x 26cm x 17cm

Georgian mahogany writing box lectern. Circa 1800

Mahogany writing box lectern

An interesting and unusual Georgian mahogany writing slope with the the original key and a brass supporting arm and removable rest that allows you to prop the top at an angle in order to support a book

Circa 1800.

The top lifts to reveal a leather skiver with gold and blind tooling, that is a sympathetic replacement. At the top end is a central pen tray, a nib tray another lidded compartment, and in each corner is the glass inkwells with brass screw tops. The two writing slope flaps lift up in order to access storage areas beneath and by removing a brass locking pin, you can pull open a long, rather ink stained drawer, situated on the right hand side. This has a brass drop handle that matches one on the other side which enables you to carry the box. 

Under the lower flap is stored a mahogany timber section which has two brass pins that locate in two brass ferrules in the top (see photo) and form a back rest for placing a book after the lid has been elevated by means of a brass hinged stay that lifts up and locates in a brass slot. The box has quite a simplistic design which is rather appealing. It doesn't have a mass of brass corner and edging protection and flush handles, that became popular from the onset of the Napoleonic war in 1803, when items such as these were taken to war and therefore needed to be able to take the odd knock or three. It has been cleaned, re-waxed and polished. The mahogany is in very good shape without any shrinkage cracks and with a good patina.

Cleaned and restored to a high standard. All you need to do is wipe over with a soft cloth from time to time.

Measurements: 50cm wide, 25cm deep and 15cm high.

Victorian Campaing walnut writing box. C. 1860

Campaing walnut writing box

Figured walnut with brass.

All in wonderful condition throughout

Sizes: 30cm x 22cm x 13cm