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
Writing Boxes
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Antique Writing Box in rosewood and bird's eye maple, circa 1830.

Writing Box in rosewood and bird's eye maple, circa 1830

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

Mother  of pearl escutcheon and accent to top. 

The box has a working lock and key.

Dimensions:

The box is 14 inches wide 9.4 deep and 4.6 tall (when closed).

35.4cm wide 24cm deep and12cm tall (when closed)

Please click on the images to enlarge them.

 

 

 

 

Antique Writing Box in rosewood and birds eye maple. wbbimrw01.jpg (62197 bytes)

Antique Writing Box in rosewood and birds eye maple. wbbimrw02.jpg (96072 bytes)

The style of this marquetry is symmetry of natural forms.

There has as been some veneer cracking to the top which is clearly visible. This does not effect the structural  integrity of the box.

Antique Writing Box in rosewood and birds eye maple. wbbimrw03.jpg (66829 bytes)

Antique Writing Box in rosewood and birds eye maple. wbbimrw04.jpg (57157 bytes)

The box retains its original velvet writing surface which does show wear as can be seen in the picture.

The box has a pair of cut crystal inkwells.

Antique Writing Box in rosewood and birds eye maple. wbbimrw05.jpg (65541 bytes)

Antique Writing Box in rosewood and birds eye maple. wbbimrw06.jpg (62243 bytes)

Under the flaps there are compartments for holding paper.

The inside has no varnish or French polish. After circa this date it became usual practice to French polish the inside.

Antique Writing Box in rosewood and birds eye maple. wbbimrw07.jpg (76324 bytes)

For the historical context of this writing box read the relevant part of Antigone's Online Antique Box Book. If you click here you will go there.

We have written a highly  illustrated book on Antique Boxes and Tea caddies  which has been  published by  Schiffer Books USA. 

 

  © 2004 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly