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ID #SA1063518
FOR SALE
£1,975
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Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope with Secret Drawers and Compartment, Attributed to George Austin of Dublin
For sale by John Hubbard Antiques
for sale €2,311     $2,508
£1,975
John Hubbard Antiques

John Hubbard Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2014
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Id #SA1063518
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Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope with Secret Drawers and Compartment, Attributed to George Austin of Dublin

19th century
Description

An exceptional burr walnut and brass inlaid writing slope attributed to George Austin of Dublin. This rare box has an engraved cartouche with a family crest and the name H. H. Waterhouse, 1879. All the edges are lined with brass and the top and front have a double line of brass inlay. The interior, mostly coromandel, has a new skiver, identical to the original and still retains the original inset leather tabs.

Detail includes brass line inlay, inset brass corner reinforcers, original inkwell plus another contemporary replacement.

There is also a drawer in the side, full length, that pulls out. This conceals the seriously hidden compartment! A very unusual process to access it but it reveals a similar size drawer when the main drawer is removed. There's a video that demonstrates it, but if it's not on this site, just ask for a link.

Size: 19.7/8" (50.5) wide x 10.3/8" (26.5) deep x 9.1/4" (23.5) high

Circa 1879

Stock no: 4855

Physical Dimensions
Height
23.5cm (9.25")
Width
50.5cm (19.88")
Depth
26.5cm (10.43")
Declaration

John Hubbard Antiques has dated this Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1063518
Dealers Internal Reference
4855
Dealers Notes

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Description
An exceptional burr walnut and brass inlaid writing slope attributed to George Austin of Dublin. This rare box has an engraved cartouche with a family crest and the name H. H. Waterhouse, 1879. All the edges are lined with brass and the top and front have a double line of brass inlay.
“
The interior, mostly coromandel, has a new skiver, identical to the original and still retains the original inset leather tabs.
John Hubbard Antiques
fig 1. A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon.
fig 1. Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope with Secret Drawers and Compartment, Attributed to George Austin of Dublin

Detail includes brass line inlay, inset brass corner reinforcers, original inkwell plus another contemporary replacement.

There is also a drawer in the side, full length, that pulls out. This conceals the seriously hidden compartment! A very unusual process to access it but it reveals a similar size drawer when the main drawer is removed. There's a video that demonstrates it, but if it's not on this site, just ask for a link.

Size: 19.7/8" (50.5) wide x 10.3/8" (26.5) deep x 9.1/4" (23.5) high

Circa 1879

Stock no: 4855

Height
23.5cm (9.25")
Width
50.5cm (19.88")
Depth
26.5cm (10.43")
Date of Manufacture

John Hubbard Antiques has dated this Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1063518
Dealers Internal Ref
4855
John Hubbard Antiques
John Hubbard Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2014
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the John Hubbard Antiques Profile Page

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A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon.
1 / 17
Archive I A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon.

Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope with Secret Drawers and Compartment, Attributed to George Austin of Dublin

Archive II A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View II
Archive III A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View III
Archive IV A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View IV
Archive V A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View V
Archive VI A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View VI
Archive VII A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View VII
Archive VIII A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View VIII
Archive IX A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View IX
Archive X A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View X
Archive XI A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View XI
Archive XII A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View XII
Archive XIII A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View XIII
Archive XIV A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View XIV
Archive XV A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View XV
Archive XVI A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View XVI
Archive XVII A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon. View XVII
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John Hubbard Antiques

John Hubbard Antiques
Telephone 01562 701020
Location
Castle Ash
Birmingham Road
Blakedown
Worcestershire
DY10 3JE
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/hubbard
Verified Since Sep 2014
Items For Sale 98
Items Sold 212
John Hubbard Antiques
John Hubbard Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2014
View Dealer Info
Location: Castle Ash, Birmingham Road, Blakedown, Worcestershire, DY10 3JE, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/hubbard
Verified
Sep 2014
For Sale
98
Sold
212
A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon.
Victorian burr walnut writing slope with secret drawers and compartment, attributed to George Austin of Dublin
Ref: SA1063518
A rectangular Victorian burr walnut writing slope box featuring swirl veneer patterns, brass stringing inlay, a central engraved brass plaque, and a front keyhole escutcheon.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWriting Slopes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialBurr Walnut, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsBurr walnut veneer, Brass line inlay, Engraved plaque, Keyhole escutcheon
  • SizeH 23.5 cm (9 in) x W 50.5 cm (20 in) x D 26.5 cm (10 in)

This Victorian writing slope is made from warm brown burr walnut veneer with brass line inlay. The rectangular box has a polished finish showing swirling wood grain patterns on the top and front surfaces. Additional details visible in the photograph include a central engraved brass plaque on the lid and a matching brass keyhole escutcheon on the front edge. Brass stringing outlines the rectangular panels, and thin metal borders protect the outer corners. Measuring 23.5 cm high, 50.5 cm wide, and 26.5 cm deep, this portable desk rests flat on any stable surface. It serves as a practical workspace or stationery storage box in a home office or study. Owners place it directly on top of an executive desk, library table, or chest of drawers to keep writing materials organized and secure.

FAQs

Popularised during the nineteenth century, writing slopes were portable desk boxes designed to store writing instruments, paper, and ink, folding open to provide an angled surface for writing letters whilst travelling.

Victorian craftsmen frequently used hardwoods such as walnut, mahogany, and rosewood, often embellished with burr veneers, brass edging, or metal stringing and fitted with internal velvet or leather writing surfaces.

Authentic period examples typically feature period-appropriate hardware such as brass Bramah locks, hand-cut dovetailed joinery, brass line inlay, and natural age-related patination on the timber.

A writing slope functions as a decorative accent when displayed flat on a sideboard, bookshelf, or executive desk, bringing historical texture to classic or dark academia interior schemes.

Keep the piece away from direct heat sources and sunlight to prevent veneer movement, and apply a high-grade beeswax polish periodically using a soft, lint-free cloth.
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