Fine Quality Inlaid Rosewood Writing Box c.1870

Please see my stock page for one of the largest selection of writing boxes available on this website. 19th Century Victorian antique fine quality inlaid rosewood writing box in extremely good condition. Attractive grain. No missing or replaced veneer. Solid rosewood edging that helps to prevent damage and lifting to the veneer ends. Aside from one Very small piece of nicely done replacement edging (approximately 2.5cm), all edging is original and complete. Original inlaid brass strips to the top and front. Extremely intricate and attractive surrounds to the Mother of Pearl cartouche and escutcheon comprising of Mother of Pearl, brass and to add a splash of colour, abalone shell. All inlays are original, complete and in superb condition. The veneer and the inlays sport an unspoilt patina. In the case of the brassware the patina results in the inlays having a rose gold like colouring that certainly enhances the appearance of the box exterior. The degree of the inlays are such that both the skills and beauty of the inlays can be fully appreciated whilst at the same time allowing the beauty of the rosewood grain to show. The lid closes perfectly square and true. All hardware throughout is original, all in excellent condition with a replacement working key supplied for the triple catch lock. Both storage sections beneath the writing platform are in very condition with the original lacquered surfaces throughout. The base board has a shrinkage split which is an extremely common slight defect on a great many antique boxes of any period and style mainly due to it being a single piece of solid wood. Unless very weighty items are placed in the storage area (highly unlikely) it should be good for many a year. One inkpot has a brass screw top inkpot with an unspoilt patina, the other inkpot is void of a lid and is of a slightly different base design. Both fit extremely well. Which if any is original to the box is impossible to state with any certainty…It is next to never that such a statement of fact can be made!! Aside from the condition of the box stated thus far it has the bonus of having the original leather still virtually fully intact along all three fold lines!! Sometimes when accessing the storage areas the flaps may resist freely closing perfectly square but that is nit picking to the extreme and it simple means that the flap is gently supported and eased shut. There has been one very small piece of restoration done to the leather ….Look at the gilt tooling on the leather border directly below the lock hasp. Whoever did the restoration obviously was quite skilled! It is quite common for leathers to be damaged in the area, usually due to ‘pull tabs’ to assist opening the flap. I think it fair to state that this box has had very little use by the many generations of owners over the course of circa 150 years. It is also likely that given the colour/patina of the rosewood and inlay and the lack of light damage to central fold line of the leather that the box has been protected from the effect of natural light. An excellent example of the style, highly recommended.