A Victorian era tabletop writer's compendium, stationery chest with double inkwells and a candlestick, upper cabinet for stationery, notes, envelopes, and a generously sized drawer to hold paper. There's a tray for pens, sealing wax and seals. A wonderful display piece with so much atmospheric, ambiance. It's got the brass strappings, but we didn't spend much time polishing away the years as they're a bit more coated with them than I have time for just now. We're opening up "to do" crates lately to clear out a lot of project pieces and also fine antiques that we just haven't yet gotten to - prepping warehouse space for an upcoming buying trip. That's the fun part, after all. That and finding glorious bits of the past to please you. Might this be one?
Good to very good for age and type. The old wood is splendid old grained coromandel. We used to sell a lot of these - well, any we could find. This one got "lost", I suppose, at our warehouse. Always fun to dig a bit there! The chest is not perfect, though it's truly beautiful. It could use a couple of "project" efforts at its next home: the inkwells do not seem to want to fit into their openings. I think it might just be a felted opening liner that is in the way, but perhaps it will take a few moments at a Dremel. And I'm always one to want that wonderful old brass ornamentation strapping to be brilliantly shining, so I think it needs someone to spend a tv movie worth of time polishing the appliques/strapping. That's just me. The inkwells are undamaged, and I did polish their lids for you to see how lovely they are. The caps screw on. No damage to those or the wonderful candlestick, which also has its special fitting. Interior of the compartment up top opens to reveal the old original but a bit tattered interior, which you may want to fit out again with a lovely navy blue (or ?) silk lining. Measurements are noted on the photos as well as all sides for your review of the signs of age. The lock works and the key is with the set. Lovely old thing! Wants a home. Priced so you can bring it to elegance again.
