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ID #SA1222009
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£495
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Large Victorian Mahogany Brass Bound Campaign Writing Slope with Working Key
Ritas Bazaar
for sale €579     $629
£495

Ritas Bazaar

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2025
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Large Victorian Mahogany Brass Bound Campaign Writing Slope with Working Key

19th century
For Sale by Ritas Bazaar
Description

A large Victorian mahogany writing slope dating from around 1860–1880, banded with brass in the military campaign style and retaining its original working key.

The exterior is fitted with brass corner mounts, side straps, a central brass cartouche and matching escutcheon, all complementing the rich colour and attractive patina of the mahogany.

The fitted interior opens to reveal the original green leather writing surface with gilt-tooled decoration, compartments for stationery and writing accessories, two original glass inkwells with brass lids, and three concealed pull-out drawers beneath the writing surface.

Originally designed as a portable writing desk for travel, writing slopes such as this were favoured by military officers, merchants and gentlemen throughout the Victorian period.

A substantial and decorative example with excellent presence.

Measurements

Weight: 5.25 kg

Height: 17 cm

Closed: 25 × 50.5 cm

Open: 52 × 50.5 cm

Height when open: 4.5–13 cm

Condition

Good antique condition overall, with attractive colour and patina. There are age-related surface scratches, marks and wear to the mahogany, together with some veneer losses and old repairs visible to the sides and edges. The brass mounts show wear, tarnish, small dents and some missing pins. The green leather writing surface has wear, scuffs, scratches, lifting and losses, particularly around the tabs and gilt border. The fitted interior shows wear and staining from use, and the drawer fronts show old surface losses. The original glass inkwells and working key are present.

Physical Dimensions
Height
17cm (6.69")
Width
25cm (9.84")
Depth
50.5cm (19.88")
Declaration

Ritas Bazaar has dated this Victorian Mahogany Writing Slope to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1222009
Dealers Internal Reference
4801
Description
A large Victorian mahogany writing slope dating from around 1860–1880, banded with brass in the military campaign style and retaining its original working key.
The exterior is fitted with brass corner mounts, side straps, a central brass cartouche and matching escutcheon, all complementing the rich colour and attractive patina of the mahogany.
Ritas Bazaar
fig 1. An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface.
fig 1. Large Victorian Mahogany Brass Bound Campaign Writing Slope with Working Key

The fitted interior opens to reveal the original green leather writing surface with gilt-tooled decoration, compartments for stationery and writing accessories, two original glass inkwells with brass lids, and three concealed pull-out drawers beneath the writing surface.

fig 2. An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface.
fig 2. Large Victorian Mahogany Brass Bound Campaign Writing Slope with Working Key

Originally designed as a portable writing desk for travel, writing slopes such as this were favoured by military officers, merchants and gentlemen throughout the Victorian period.

A substantial and decorative example with excellent presence.

fig 3. An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface.
fig 3. Large Victorian Mahogany Brass Bound Campaign Writing Slope with Working Key

Measurements

Weight: 5.25 kg

Height: 17 cm

Closed: 25 × 50.5 cm

Open: 52 × 50.5 cm

Height when open: 4.5–13 cm

Condition

Good antique condition overall, with attractive colour and patina. There are age-related surface scratches, marks and wear to the mahogany, together with some veneer losses and old repairs visible to the sides and edges. The brass mounts show wear, tarnish, small dents and some missing pins. The green leather writing surface has wear, scuffs, scratches, lifting and losses, particularly around the tabs and gilt border. The fitted interior shows wear and staining from use, and the drawer fronts show old surface losses. The original glass inkwells and working key are present.

Height
17cm (6.69")
Width
25cm (9.84")
Depth
50.5cm (19.88")
Date of Manufacture

Ritas Bazaar has dated this Victorian Mahogany Writing Slope to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1222009
Dealers Internal Ref
4801
Ritas Bazaar
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2025
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Ritas Bazaar Profile Page

Relevant Links
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An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface.
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Archive I An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface.

Large Victorian Mahogany Brass Bound Campaign Writing Slope with Working Key

Archive II An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View II
Archive III An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View III
Archive IV An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View IV
Archive V An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View V
Archive VI An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View VI
Archive VII An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View VII
Archive VIII An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View VIII
Archive IX An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View IX
Archive X An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View X
Archive XI An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View XI
Archive XII An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View XII
Archive XIII An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View XIII
Archive XIV An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View XIV
Archive XV An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface. View XV
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Telephone 07434 626011
Location
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Verified Since Nov 2025
Items For Sale 224
Items Sold 36
Ritas Bazaar
Verified Since Nov 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Verified
Nov 2025
For Sale
224
Sold
36
An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface.
Large Victorian Mahogany Brass Bound Campaign Writing Slope with Working Key
Ref: SA1222009
An open Victorian mahogany writing slope featuring flush brass corner bindings, internal pen compartments, and a green gilt-tooled leather writing surface.
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Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

A writing slope is a portable wooden box featuring a sloped, hinged surface designed for writing while travelling, popularised during the nineteenth century for military and civilian use.

These items are constructed from hardwoods such as mahogany or walnut, reinforced with flush-fitted brass straps and corner brackets to protect the structure during transit.

Authentic Victorian examples feature flush brass mortise lock plates, dovetail jointing, hand-tooled leather writing surfaces, and internal compartments for inkwells and pens.

A writing slope can be displayed open or closed on an office desk, console table, or sideboard as a functional decorative object.

Keep the wood moisturised using natural beeswax, avoid direct sunlight or radiators to prevent cracking, and clean brass fittings with a soft cloth.
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