Regency Rosewood Brass Bound Box Desk
A fine early 19th century Regency brass bound rosewood box desk.
The box is made of good quality mahogany and rosewood veneers with brass bound corners, line inlays and the brass lock is stamped 'J Bramah Piccadilly' and a crown.
The box has a pair of brass military plate carrying handles, the left handle also pulls open the side drawer.
The drawer is made of solid mahogany with a rosewood veneered front, the drawer is lock by a brass pin inside the box under the lectern support.
The box when open has a dark blue baize writing surface, both ends of which open to reveal stationery storage areas.
The storage are in the lid stores the book rest which fixes to the top of the lid when used as a lectern or music rest.
The front edge of the interior holds two inkwells with Sheffield plate lids, two lidded compartments and a pen rest.
The upper storage compartment beneath the inkwells has a secret compartment that springs open when the hidden release is pressed.
The secret compartment has three small mahogany drawers with rosewood fronts and knob handles.
One drawer contains four folded paper parcels each holding a lock of hair with hand written labels:
1. Charles's first hair May 1821, 16th May.
2. Frederic's first hair . . . house July 1822, 28th July.
3. Ann Robinson born 30th October 1823 . . .
4. Davina born 18th August 1825 at . . .
The box is made of the best mahogany and in places looks un-used, the rosewood veneer is in very good condition.
The Sheffield plated lids to the inkwells would have had corks which are now missing. (Circa 1820)
Height 18.5cm (7.3 inches)
Length 46cm (18.1 inches)
Depth 28cm (11 inches)