Details
Description
Antique 19th Century Victorian Walnut & Mahogany Writing Slope & Lap Desk with Hidden Drawers
A wonderful find for restoration …
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Antique 19th Century Victorian Walnut & Mahogany Writing Slope & Lap Desk with Hidden Drawers
A wonderful find for restoration enthusiasts, collectors, or museum-style display, this late 19th-century Victorian English traveling writing slope or lap desk pairs rich, highly-figured hardwood grains with exquisite hand craftsmanship. The exterior features an eye-catching, multi-toned geometric design layout. The top lid showcases a striking central brass heraldic cartouche framed by fine line stringing, all bordered by an intricately hand-carved foliate relief pattern of winding leaves and vines. The front panel holds an ornate vertical brass escutcheon decorated with a classical laurel wreath design. Opening the box reveals its full historical mechanics. The front row retains its partitioned vanity slots, featuring an original heavy molded-glass inkwell with a threaded brass cap, alongside its removable sculpted wood pen cradle tray. Beneath the folding panels sits a roomy well for document storage.
The Secret Mechanisms:
Most remarkably, lifting the pen tray exposes a hidden, intact brass flat-leaf spring-release mechanism. While the front wood fascia screen has been lost over time, both miniature internal document/sovereign drawers are 100% present, original, and fully functional, sliding smoothly within their hidden track.
This piece offers an exceptional "exposed gears" look at 19th-century mechanical security engineering as-is, or serves as a perfect canvas for a straightforward leather and trim restoration!
Dimensions
• Width: 13.75.0 inches
• Depth (Closed): 9.5 inches
• Height: 5.25 inches
• Style: Victorian (Traditional, English Campaign)
• Period: Late 19th Century (Circa 1870–1890)
• Item Type: Antique / Vintage (Pre-owned)
• Materials: Walnut / Mahogany Veneers, Inlaid Brass, Hand-Carved Hardwood, Molded Glass
• Condition: Needs Restoration / "As Is" / Fair Antique Condition
• Condition Notes: Exterior wood shows a beautiful, deep, warm natural patina with minor age-appropriate surface wear. Interior wood structures are structurally sound and stable. Missing the leather/felt writing surface (skiver) and the vertical wood cover panel (fascia) for the secret compartments. Complete with working antique barrel skeleton key, an original glass inkwell with a knurled brass lid, and a distinct decorative green glass/stone key fob charm.
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- Dimensions
- 13.75ʺW × 9.5ʺD × 5.52ʺH
- Period
- Late 19th Century
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Brass
- Glass
- Mahogany
- Walnut
- Condition
- Original Condition Unaltered, Needs Restoration
- Color
- Brown
- Condition Notes
- Needs restoration - missing leather skiver and wood fascia over hidden drawers. Needs restoration - missing leather skiver and wood fascia over hidden drawers. less
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