Description

Heavily Inlaid with Mother of Pearl, Abalone and Brass

From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this fantastic Coromandel Inlaid Writing Box by Hausburg. The Writing Box of rectangular shape veneered in Coromandel features an extensive array of inlaid iridescent Mother of Pearl to the front and lid with abalone accents and brass stringing finished with birds to the centre surrounding a vacant initial plaque. When opened the Writing Box reveals a blue velvet writing slope with gold tooling faced in Coromandel with further matching inlays. The top and bottom half of the writing slope lift to reveal extra storage beneath and the top of the box contains partitions for two inkwells, two lidded compartments, letters, paperwork and a removable pen tray, the compartments with mother of pearl handles. The top half of the writing box contains a secret compartment which can be accessed by pushing the left hand side wall of the left inkwell compartment, in doing so a secret spring activates and pushes a false wall forward revealing three secret drawer compartments. The interior of the writing box is finished with a signed lock plate by Barrons with VR crowned insignia. The Writing Box dates to the 19th century during the Victorian period circa 1860. The Box remains unsigned but it is without doubt the work of F.L. Hausburg of Liverpool, England.

Mother of Pearl is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. It is the same material that natural pearls are made from and is desirable due to its strong and resilient makeup along with its beautiful iridescent shimmer.

Hausburg (Friedrich Ludwig Hausburg) a renowned artisan and craftsman, was born in Berlin, Prussia, in 1817. He commenced his professional journey in collaboration with his uncle, August Wilhelm Bernhardt Promoli, who operated from Paris, where they specialized in producing opulent items of fine jewellery, exquisite clocks, and a plethora of other luxury items. During their tenure as expert cabinet makers, they gradually expanded their repertoire to include the manufacturing of an extensive range of luxurious writing and dressing cases, amongst a few other exquisite items, which they retailed in Liverpool As time progressed, Friedrich Ludwig Hausburg’s fame as a cabinet maker grew, and his exceptional craftsmanship was widely acknowledged. His dedication to excellence and uncompromising attention to detail enabled him to become an authority in his field, renowned for producing exceptional, high-quality products that were highly sought after. In summary, Friedrich Ludwig Hausburg’s journey began as an apprentice under the tutelage of his uncle in Paris, where he honed his skills and expertise in crafting luxurious items. His eventual specialization in producing elegant writing and dressing cases, amongst other luxurious goods, is a testament to his exceptional craftsmanship and unwavering commitment to producing exquisite and high-quality products.

Coromandel is a valuable wood found in India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. It has a contrasting hazel-brown colour with black grain. It is a dense, heavy wood that is so popular it has been logged to extinction over the last few hundred years. This makes Calamander pieces even more special.

Robert Barron was an influential 18th-century English locksmith best known for inventing the double-acting tumbler lock in 1778. His design marked a major advancement in lock security by requiring two separate movements to open the lock, making it much harder to pick compared to earlier mechanisms. Barron’s invention laid the foundation for modern lock designs and set new standards for security at the time. His work not only showcased innovation but also helped establish Britain’s reputation for excellence in locksmithing during the Georgian period. Today, locks based on Barron’s principles are considered important milestones in the history of security technology.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

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