Description

Mother of Pearl Inlay

From our Writing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Coromandel and Satinwood Writing Slope by Austin of Dublin. The Writing Box of slim rectangular form with slightly sloped lid features a stunning exotic Coromandel veneer to the exterior with a framed brass stringing. The scene with extensive brass inlay and Mother of Pearl abalone shell featuring blossoming flowers and scrolling vines. The top of the box finished with a star engraved brass raised escutcheon for locking the box when not in use. When opened the interior of the box reveals a Satinwood lining with a deep purple leather writing slope having gold tooling framed by further brass stringing. The Box also contains space for two inkwells and various writing tools including a pen tray and lidded store which has the makers label beneath the lid reading Geo. Austin Cabinet Maker Dublin. A further storage compartment can be found beneath the top half of the leather writing slope which also contains a secret compartment. The secret compartment can be accessed by removing the coromandel lid from the right hand side storage area next to the ink well and pushing mechanism built into the side wall of the inner box. Once pushed a spring loaded false cover will push forward revealing the two hidden drawers. The Writing Slope dates to mid 19th century during the early Victorian era circa 1850.

The Writing Slope comes complete with a working lock and tasselled key.

Austin (George) was a cabinet maker in Dublin starting in the early 1800s and the business traded throughout the 1800s. He specialised in campaign furniture with portable writing desks, dressing cases and decanter boxes. His son Thomas joined the business around the 1840s and was just as skilled as his father with both winning numerous awards from Dublin exhibitions and being commended for their work at The Great Exhibition in London.

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.

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.

Abalone is a collective name for any of a group of small to very large marine gastropod molluscs in the family Haliotidae.

Satinwood is found in India and Sri Lanka. It has a rich golden colour and an almost reflective sheen. Satinwood is traditionally used for high quality furniture.

Victorian, an era of British History corresponding approximately with the reign of Queen Victoria from the 20th of June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901 however, there are arguments stating that the Victorian era is actually from 1820 until 1914 proceeded by Georgian era and followed by the Edwardian era.

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.

Additional information