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Antique Rosewood writing Box with pewter inlay circa 1825 by Turnbull's of Cheltenham

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Description:
Ref: 870WB      http://hygra.com/box/870WB 

Rosewood writing box with fluid inlay in pewter depicting floral motifs. The box is labeled "Turnbull's Exchange, 389 High St. Cheltenham."  The box opens to a sloping velvet covered writing surface with compartments for ink and pens. There are places for storing paper beneath.

Origin: UK, labeled Turnbull's Cheltenham;  Circa: 1825; Materials: rosewood pewter .

Size: 40 cm wide by 23 cm by 12.5 cm:  15.7  inches wide by  9.1 inches by 4.9  inches.

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

Keywords: Hygra.com, Antique box, writing box, traveling desk, pewter inlay, Turnbull's Cheltenham, 1825, rosewood,

Request current  list of available sewing boxes with prices.
Request current  list of available writing boxes with prices.

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Detail of the inlay in the top. The inlay is executed with vigor and precision.

The maker is probably the maker of: http://www.hygra.com/wb/wbrwbrstfl.htm 

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The writing surface is covered with faded velvet.

 

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The box has two screw top reproduction inkwells.

The pen tray is inlaid with pewter.

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There are places for storing papers under the writing surface flaps.

The interior  wood is unfinished. There is a retailer/makers label on the underside of the flap.  

 

The box is labeled with a picture of the exterior of the shop:

"Turnbull's Exchange 

389 High Street

Cheltenham."

 

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A search of the internet produced an image of the interior of Turnbull's shop from 1824.

Writing Desks, Travelling, Dressing & Jewel Cases, Work Boxes, &c &c
Bibles, Prayer Books, Stationery &c &c

http://www.rareoldprints.com/p/5089 

 

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The flaps are constructed with tongue and groove joins. 

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There is a rounded bead run into the facings

 

The rosewood has an attractive figure.

It contrasts dramatically with the pewter inlay. 

The fluid pewter inlay  is in a running pattern depicting floral motifs.

The use of pewter in the inlay is unusual.

Inlay in early 19th C boxes was generally brass. About 1830 many makers were using mother of pearl. 

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Detail: Countersunk brass handles which are fixed with iron screws.

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Click to send email request for current list with prices The Eliza writing slope: an unique satinwood writing slope with both fine marquetry and inlay depicting  trailing convolvulus. ( wikipedia.org/wiki/Convolvulus  ) This is an artwork of love. The top is solid satinwood and inlaid. the sides have a saw-cut veneer of about 1mm. The accuracy of the marquetry is truly skillful.  On the front there is a depiction of oak branches laden with acorns crossed.  The slope opens down to a velvet (replacement) writing surface and the usual compartments for inkwells and pens. Under the writing surface there is the usual place for paper storage and a nest of  three drawers  of part dovetail construction. This is not a manufactured piece, but rather a work of love by a now anonymous craftsman for his beloved Eliza who was clearly interested in flora.  Circa  1830 A restrained figured rosewood writing box with inlaid accents and lines in brass. The design of the inlay is of highly stylised flora, suggesting neoclassical designs hinting at palmette and (on the top) anthemion motifs. The juxtaposition of dark wood with bold brass inlay was popular in the early part of the 19th century. The wood and the bright brass were mutually enhancing. The Prince Regent (later George IV) commissioned such work for his Royal palaces:. more details Rare polychrome penwork writing slope the center of the top depicting a  trading caravan on the Silk Road. A central trader is aloft an elephant with outriders on horseback. This is one of the "classic" penwork compositions  There is another version of this image on http://www.hygra.com/penwork/pen2tc.htm The surround and the sides are painted in a more formal manner albeit with flowers and leaves. The blooms are are stylized and the arrangement is symmetrical and orderly in the neoclassical manner of the late 18th Century. The box dates from the short pivotal period between neoclassism and naturalism

All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2015 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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