Description:
WB150: Antique Regency highly figured rosewood  writing box brass accents and countersunk carrying handles  opening to an embossed leather (replacement) writing surface, compartments for writing instruments and paper and having a nest of secret drawers, and a working lock and key, Circa 1820.

Origin: UK

Circa: 1820.

Materials:  rosewood on a mahogany carcass with brass inlay. 

Size: 40.5 cm by 20.5 cm by 14 cm: 16 inches by 9.8 inches by 5.5 inches.

Condition: Good over all: see images.

The box opens to an embossed leather (replacement) writing surface compartments for writing instruments.

The inkwells are modern replacements.

The hinges are wider than on some writing boxes. The flaps have channels to accommodate the hinge. This helps to date the box to about 1820.

 Detail of the writing surface. the embossed leather covering is a replacement. The flaps are original .

 Detail: Countersunk brass handles .

 The lock is stamped "patent" It is a one lever ward lock. The patent being referred to is a version of Barons innovation to made to the ward lock in 1778. 

Detail of the escutcheon,

 The box has rounded solid rosewood edges. There are two inlaid brass lines.

 The figure of the rosewood on the top is particularly attractive.  The central brass plate matches the pattern of the escutcheon.

 There is a nest of secret drawers under the section for keeping writing implements. This is concealed behind a sprung panel which is released by pressing the floor of the inkwell compartment in the corner. 

The drawers have rosewood fronts.

 Detail of the secret drawer panel.

 There are compartments for storing paper under the flaps