Georgian Campaign Writing Box

An early 19th century Georgian mahogany writing box or box desk. The box is brass bound like a campaign desk and has its original rest bar stored inside that fits to the lid of the box to use as a lectern or reading stand. The base of the box has a mahogany lined side drawer with a locking bar inside the box to keep it closed. The interior is fitted with a dark blue leather writing surface, an inkwell and a pounce pot with Sheffield plate lids. The two parts of the writing surface hinge open for storage of paper/documents and the underside of the pen and inkwell rack holds a secret compartment covered by a spring panel. The glass inkwell bottle has the rim missing, a pounce pot holds crushed cuttlefish powder which was used to blot ink after writing with a quill.