Georgian Solid Mahogany Triple Fold Writing Box. Lots of Features. C1820

Please see my stock page for one of the largest selection of writing boxes available on this website. Solid mahogany brass bound triple fold writing box in a condition and with features that will appeal to many keen collectors of antique woodenware. Unspoilt patina. Free of any of the common shrinkage splits that can sometimes mar the appearance of many antiques boxes, generally more so with solid wood boxes with the tops in particular. Inlaid brass cartouche with matching escutcheon. Inlaid side handles. Inlaid brass straps that extend down the full depth of the back. Additional support and protection of 4 inlaid corner pieces to each corner of the box. Please note the screw fixings….al original complete as is All of the brassware throughout the box. All three sections of the box carcass close perfectly square. The lid opens to reveal an extremely impressive interior. Hinges in excellent condition. The lid is held secure by way of a hinge with a ‘stay’ that clicks into position nicely and requires pressing inwards on the outer side of the hinge to allow the lid to fold forward. Original mahogany writing platform to the front. Office section comprising of the standard pen tray with storage section beneath, sections for pounce and/or inkpot(s) and wafer/nib slope. All dividers and the pen tray are original. The inkpots are possibly replacements. That stated, they are a perfect fit, one is free of any ink stains that correspond with an ink stain free section, the other with some ink stains on the pot that correspond with an ink stained storage section. Both inkpots are in very good condition with ornate tops though they are both now void of the original corks that were attached to the lids. The lock features a centre rod that engages with the hasp to provide additional security. A replacement working key is supplied. The front folds forward to provide a large writing surface. The green material is Part split along the fold line of the two base sections but is Fully intact along the fold lines of the two ‘flaps’. It can be seen that both flaps are attached by two inset material or leather hinges…..as was the practice with many Georgian writing boxes. Twin brass sliding slope clasps secure the front section. Storage section beneath in extremely clean condition with the original webbing to the flap underside still fully intact!! The upper section is likewise in extremely clean condition. A box of this quality does of course feature secret drawers accessed by pressing down on the front corner of the base of one of the inkpot sections. The mechanism is in excellent condition with the concealing panel springing open to reveal 3 secret drawers…all in excellent condition and complete with the original finely turned knobs. Of all features of the box it is probably the condition and features of the panel to the lid interior that sets it apart from most. Other than some minor ink stains to one bottom corner it is in remarkable condition. All gilt and ‘blind’ tooling is in superb condition. All seven days of the week retainers fully intact/firmly fixed, original swing clasp and original pull tab still fully intact that would add weight to the claim that this box has had very little use of the course of circa 200 years!! When released the panel folds forward to provide access to a document pouch that certainly does look to be in unused condition…spotless to the interior with both leather side folds and base fold line fully intact. This box is in exceptional condition. The brassware could of course be very easily cleaned to a gold like lustre which would certainly command more attention. However the patina does contribute considerably to the ‘right’ appearance and Does add character to the piece. Personally I recommend that it is best left as it is. A very fine piece of Georgian woodenware, an example of the build quality associated with the period, with a very high degree of original features that comes Highly Recommended.