Description:
wb138:  A fine French mid 19th century red tortoiseshell and brass boulle writing slope  of curvilinear form  with engraved brass contrasted with tortoiseshell  to all sides, opening to a velvet  (replacement )covered writing slope and compartments for stationary  and writing tools having two original inkwells, and a working lock and key. The inside is veneered in tulipwood and highly finished  Circa 1850.

Origin: French 

Circa: 1850

Materials:

Size: 34 cm by 28 cm, the height at back is 19 cm, : 13.4 inches by 11 inches, the height at back is 7.5 inches.

Condition:  good overall: see images

Unusually this box has brass/ tortoiseshell  decoration to all sides. The Brass is engraved to make the design more fluid.

The writing surface is embossed velvet (replacement) this is framed by tulipwood. 

 There is a compartment for storing paper under the writing surface.

 Although the two inkwells are similar, they are not a pair. in one the facets have been cut where the other is molded glass.