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ANTIQUE BOXES
at the Sign of the Hygra
2 Middleton Road
London E8 4BL
Tel: 00 44 (0)20 7254 7074
email: boxes@hygra.com |
Antique Boxes in English Society
1760 -1900
by ANTIGONE
Writing Boxes |
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| A Captains Box with elaborate secret drawers and
compartments Circa 1800 |
A Brass bound mahogany Captains writing box with secret
compartments and drawers.
The box has an adjustable mechanism to enable it to be used
as a reading stand, as here.
Military style. good quality brass bindings, facings, countersunk handles,
and edgings.
Here the box is in the reading stand position: a sort of lectern.
Dimensions: 22" wide 11.5 deep 7.75"high (closed).
The pictures can be supersized by cliccking on them.
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The brass is structural and fastened to the box with iron screws.
The handles are strong enough to lift the box.
This is the image of the Military type brass bound Captains box.
The locks work and have their keys.
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The box has a screw down mechanism to enable it to be fixed to a
table. The screws are tightened using a special key.
The writing tablet is covered with the original olive green baize.
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Close up showing both the brass bindings. The brass is secured with
steel/iron screws. These were clearly flattened when first put
in.
The key is used to tighten the screws for fixing the box
down.
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There is a lift out lockable box under the writing flap. The first
set of secret drawers are hidden behind a panel in front of the
compartment for ink and pens.
The box has its original inkwell.
The sprung panel concealing the secret drawers is released by
pressing on one of the "screws" in the brass facing.
The countersunk handle is similar to one on a printing box which
has been featured in Antique
Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society -- 1700-1880 see figure. 481
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The box has a false bottom which is released by inserting a sharp
object into a small hole as in picture on left. The second hole
which can be seen in the picture is used to release a panel which is
under the second flap.
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There are another two drawers under the panel and hidden behind
another panel. This is released by pressing the wood at the side of
the box.
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One of these draws is designed to hold sovereigns
and half-sovereigns.
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Most unusually there are secret compartments in the upper part. A
thin instrument is pushed through the hole above to release the
covering panel.
The long piece of wood is the reading stand.
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Behind the panel there are a series of pigeon holes.
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