Description

Mother of Pearl Inlay

From our Writing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Coromandel and Mother of Pearl Writing Slope by Richard Wathew. The Writing Box of slim rectangular form with slightly sloped lid features a stunning exotic coromandel veneer to the exterior with an extensive mother of pearl abalone shell inlaid top featuring butterflies, peacocks, deer, foliage and blossoming flowers. The top of the box finished with a hidden escutcheon within a mother of pearl border. When opened the interior of the box reveals a Satinwood lining with a racing green leather writing slope with gold tooling framed by an embossed greek key border. The Box also contains storage beneath the slope and space for two inkwells and various writing tools including a pen tray and lidded store which has the makers label beneath the lid reading Richard Wathew Maker 78 Buchanan St Glasgow. The Writing Slope dates to 19th century during the early Victorian era circa 1850.

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

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