Beautiful & large antique Napoleon III or Victorian era campaign style 20" writer's or writing box, chest, a fine lap desk or ecritoire in rosewood veneers with polished brass edging & accents, original gilt embossed green leather writing surface and working lock with old skeleton key! Elegantly crafted with richly grained rosewood veneers over some type of red hued hardwood, possibly mahogany, with intricate heavy brass inlays on the corners, top cartouche, and escutcheon. Recessed solid brass handles on each side. Inside, there are two lidded storage compartments for all of the user's stationery and/or accoutrement. Inside, the lids have brass tacks which were originally designed to have a string gridwork to secure small papers or notes. There its a small, lidded compartment with a mother of pearl handle, a convex pencil tray that doubles as lid for another compartment beneath, along with two inkwell slots though this one is missing the inkwells. Underneath those compartments is a plate with a secret latch which opens to reveal three small drawers with tiny, handcut spline joints. We've seen these with small specially made under tables/stands and they really are fabulous decorative accents.
Very good condition, age considered. Circa 1810-1840 likely with handmade screws on the heavy brass hinges, the recessed handles, the lock, and the hidden compartment latch system. As would be expected, it is not perfect. The top has a drying crack on the surface; the leather writing skiver is likely a replacement, and still is split at the hinge; small pieces of rosewood veneer are damaged or missing near the hinges; and one of the upper small rosewood compartment lids is missing. Still, for its age, it is in remarkable condition. Sadly, we can find no marking that would identify its maker, nor is there any identifying stamping on the lock. See images for all measurements.
