Description

Fully Fitted Games Box

From our Boxes collection, we are thrilled to offer this fully functional Feathered Burr Walnut Games Compendium Box. The Games Compendium is veneered in Burr Walnut to the exterior with Brass edging stood upon a plinth base with a domed lid. The exterior of the Games Compendium is finished with an oval escutcheon and an oval vacant initial plaque in the lid. The case opens first via the lid which hinges up and then via the two doors on the front. The Games Compendium is complete with a fully fitted interior faced in Coromandel and lined in Satinwood containing draughts, chess, dominoes, cribbage, backgammon and bezique with a mixture of scorecards and counters. The inner lid contains a draughts board with a reversible backgammon board. It also contains two trays at the back which contain the various games which have two tabs one to each side to remove them. The user is met with a full assembly of bone chess pieces in white and stained red which is a beautiful and inviting display when open. The Feathered Walnut Games Compendium Box is dated with a registration kite mark in both the base and behind the chess pieces dating it to 29th November 1869 Bundle 12 and signed with the retailers mark to the rear T. Scruton 63 New St. Birmingham. We firmly attributed the manufacture of the Games Compendium to George Betjemann and Sons. There is a small crack to the bottom right of the box where the Coromandel facing meets the Satinwood below the right hinge (see the photo containing the red stained chess pieces for a closer look).

The box comes complete with working lock and key.

Measurements (inches) 6.9 High x 13.2 Wide x 9 Deep

Burr Walnut also known as figured Walnut is a highly prized wood which is formed by a growth deformation resulting from stress, disease or nurturing the tree in a specific way. Burr can be developed by blocking the sap flow of the tree by means of putting a French Walnut on top of the roots of an American Walnut. Due to the unusual properties, it is rare to come across a Walnut tree growing this way in the wild. Nurturing planted trees takes at least 80 years before it is mature enough to be cut for good purpose. Burr Walnut is highly desired for their unusual grain and pattern, used mostly in veneering larger pieces such as furniture would be joined by matching the veneer pieces or blending them together.

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.

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.

T. Scruton (& Sons) were Taylors operating out of 63 New St. Birmingham and retailers of objects such as this Games Compendium.

Betjemann & Sons George Betjemann started as an apprentice cabinet maker from a young age working for his Father in Law. In 1848, his two sons George William Betjemann and John Betjemann joined him under apprenticeships until 1846 when George William Betjemann started his own business with his two sons. In 1859 George moved to a new premises on Pentonville road, London. This was when the business became known as ‘Betjemann & Sons’. John Betjemann was grandfather of the later famous poet laureate Sir John Betjemann.

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