What defines a 19th-century Victorian desk set?

A 19th-century Victorian desk set typically comprises writing paraphernalia such as inkstands, blotting books, and stationery boxes, often crafted from luxury exotic timbers like coromandel and adorned with gilt-bronze or brass mounts.

What materials were traditionally used in high-end antique writing sets?

High-end antique writing sets frequently utilised exotic hardwoods such as coromandel, rosewood, and mahogany, accented with gilt-brass or ormolu mounts, strapwork, and decorative porcelain or ceramic plaques like jasperware.

How can authentic 19th-century coromandel desk accessories be identified?

Authentic 19th-century pieces display dense exotic timber with distinct contrasting striations, heavy hand-chased gilt-brass mounts, period lock mechanisms, and occasionally maker marks from established luxury retailers.

How can an antique desk set be styled in a modern interior?

An antique desk set can be placed on an executive office desk, library table, or hallway console to serve as a functional decorative feature alongside modern stationery and brass accents.

How should coromandel wood and ormolu mounts be preserved?

Clean coromandel timber using a soft microfibre cloth and apply a thin layer of natural beeswax paste, avoiding chemical polishes on ormolu mounts to preserve the delicate gilt surface finish.

for sale €2,194 $2,381

£1,875

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Ormolu Writing Set

Dark Brown Inkstand

Antique Brass Desk Set

Id #SA1237799

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Antique Coromandel Ormolu Jasperware Desk Set Edwards & Jones 19th C

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

A three piece Victorian coromandel, ormolu and blue Jasperware biscuit porcelain mounted coromandel desk set by Edwards & Jones of 161 Regent Street, London,circa 1880 in date.

The set comprising a stationary box, a folding book slide and a blotter cover.

All inset with oval figural plaques depicting various neo-classical scenes, mounted on a shaped oval central mount with applied rope twist border within shaped corner mounts.

There is no mistaking its unique quality and design, which is sure to make it a treasured piece by any discerning collector.

Condition:

n excellent condition. As antique items, the pieces show signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, they display beautifully.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 19 cm x Width 24 cm x Depth 15 cm - Stationary box,Height 9 cm x Width 41 cm x Depth 8.5 cm - Book slideHeight 3 cm x Width 28 cm x Depth 22 cm - Blotter cover

Dimensions in inches:

Height 7 inches x Width 9 inches x Depth 6 inches - Stationary box,Height 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 4 inches x Depth 3 inches - Book slideHeight 1 inch x Width 11 inches x Depth 9 inches - Blotter cover

Edwards & Jones

were Stationers and Dressing Case Makers whose partnership started around 1865 and lasted until 1895. The partners were Edward Henry Edwards, who was originally from Chester and Alexander Jones. It is possible that Edwards was formerly in business on his own earlier as the Westminster Rates books show him as on the west side of Regent Street in 1856.

Although they are known to have taken out some patents, they also stocked items by other makers and noted in the 1865 Trade Directory that their premises at 161 Regent Street was also a depot for the well known company De La Rue. They are often listed in the directories under the headings of Dressing Case & Dressing Bag makers as well as Stationers. By 1880, they opened a second shop, not far from the first, at 167 Regent Street. At this address they had a warehouse and shared the building with Duvelleroy Jules, a fan manufacture.

By 1895 the partnership had ended, probably due either to Jones retirement or death. The company was renamed Edwards & Sons. Edward Edwards had 4 sons and 3 daughters with his wife Harriet. Charles Alfred Edwards and John Frederick Edwards were the sons who joined their father's business. Charles had formerly been a lace merchant but John appears to have worked for Edwards & Jones from an early age. 167 Regent Street was given up but 159 was added to their address. The business continued at least until 1928.

Jasperware

or jasper ware, is a type of stoneware first developed by Josiah Wedgwood, although some authorities have described it as a type of porcelain. It is noted for its matte finish and is produced in a number of different colours, of which the best known is a pale blue that has become known as 'Wedgwood Blue'. "Jasper" in this context refers to the mineral of that name.

Wedgwood's main designs are jasperware and black basalt. Many of the Wedgwood designs were based on the art of making cameo glass and on the looks of The Portland Vase.

Coromandel wood or Calamander wood

is a valuable wood from India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. It is of a hazel-brown color, with black stripes (or the other way about), very heavy and hard. It is also known as Macassar Ebony or variegated ebony and is closely related to genuine ebony, but is obtained from different species in the same genus; one of these is Diospyros quaesita Thwaites, from Sri Lanka. The name Calamander comes from the local sinhalese name, 'kalu-medhiriya', which means dark chamber; referring to the characteristic ebony black wood.

Our reference: A5441

Physical Dimensions

Height

19cm (7.48")

Width

24cm (9.45")

Depth

15cm (5.91")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Coromandel Jasperware Desk Set to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1237799

Dealers Internal Reference

A5441

Description

A three piece Victorian coromandel, ormolu and blue Jasperware biscuit porcelain mounted coromandel desk set by Edwards & Jones of 161 Regent Street, London,circa 1880 in date.

The set comprising a stationary box, a folding book slide and a blotter cover.

“

All inset with oval figural plaques depicting various neo-classical scenes, mounted on a shaped oval central mount with applied rope twist border within shaped corner mounts.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A three-piece Victorian coromandel wood desk set featuring gilt ormolu mounts, brass strapwork, and light blue oval jasperware plaques. — fig 1. Antique Coromandel Ormolu Jasperware Desk Set Edwards & Jones 19th C

There is no mistaking its unique quality and design, which is sure to make it a treasured piece by any discerning collector.

Condition:

n excellent condition. As antique items, the pieces show signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, they display beautifully.

fig 2. A three-piece Victorian coromandel wood desk set featuring gilt ormolu mounts, brass strapwork, and light blue oval jasperware plaques. — fig 2. Antique Coromandel Ormolu Jasperware Desk Set Edwards & Jones 19th C

Dimensions in cm:

Height 19 cm x Width 24 cm x Depth 15 cm - Stationary box,Height 9 cm x Width 41 cm x Depth 8.5 cm - Book slideHeight 3 cm x Width 28 cm x Depth 22 cm - Blotter cover

Dimensions in inches:

fig 3. A three-piece Victorian coromandel wood desk set featuring gilt ormolu mounts, brass strapwork, and light blue oval jasperware plaques. — fig 3. Antique Coromandel Ormolu Jasperware Desk Set Edwards & Jones 19th C

Height 7 inches x Width 9 inches x Depth 6 inches - Stationary box,Height 3 inches x Width 1 foot, 4 inches x Depth 3 inches - Book slideHeight 1 inch x Width 11 inches x Depth 9 inches - Blotter cover

fig 4. A three-piece Victorian coromandel wood desk set featuring gilt ormolu mounts, brass strapwork, and light blue oval jasperware plaques. — fig 4. Antique Coromandel Ormolu Jasperware Desk Set Edwards & Jones 19th C

Edwards & Jones

were Stationers and Dressing Case Makers whose partnership started around 1865 and lasted until 1895. The partners were Edward Henry Edwards, who was originally from Chester and Alexander Jones. It is possible that Edwards was formerly in business on his own earlier as the Westminster Rates books show him as on the west side of Regent Street in 1856.

fig 5. A three-piece Victorian coromandel wood desk set featuring gilt ormolu mounts, brass strapwork, and light blue oval jasperware plaques. — fig 5. Antique Coromandel Ormolu Jasperware Desk Set Edwards & Jones 19th C

Although they are known to have taken out some patents, they also stocked items by other makers and noted in the 1865 Trade Directory that their premises at 161 Regent Street was also a depot for the well known company De La Rue. They are often listed in the directories under the headings of Dressing Case & Dressing Bag makers as well as Stationers. By 1880, they opened a second shop, not far from the first, at 167 Regent Street. At this address they had a warehouse and shared the building with Duvelleroy Jules, a fan manufacture.

fig 6. A three-piece Victorian coromandel wood desk set featuring gilt ormolu mounts, brass strapwork, and light blue oval jasperware plaques. — fig 6. Antique Coromandel Ormolu Jasperware Desk Set Edwards & Jones 19th C

By 1895 the partnership had ended, probably due either to Jones retirement or death. The company was renamed Edwards & Sons. Edward Edwards had 4 sons and 3 daughters with his wife Harriet. Charles Alfred Edwards and John Frederick Edwards were the sons who joined their father's business. Charles had formerly been a lace merchant but John appears to have worked for Edwards & Jones from an early age. 167 Regent Street was given up but 159 was added to their address. The business continued at least until 1928.

Jasperware

or jasper ware, is a type of stoneware first developed by Josiah Wedgwood, although some authorities have described it as a type of porcelain. It is noted for its matte finish and is produced in a number of different colours, of which the best known is a pale blue that has become known as 'Wedgwood Blue'. "Jasper" in this context refers to the mineral of that name.

Wedgwood's main designs are jasperware and black basalt. Many of the Wedgwood designs were based on the art of making cameo glass and on the looks of The Portland Vase.

Coromandel wood or Calamander wood

fig 9. A three-piece Victorian coromandel wood desk set featuring gilt ormolu mounts, brass strapwork, and light blue oval jasperware plaques. — fig 9. Antique Coromandel Ormolu Jasperware Desk Set Edwards & Jones 19th C

is a valuable wood from India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia. It is of a hazel-brown color, with black stripes (or the other way about), very heavy and hard. It is also known as Macassar Ebony or variegated ebony and is closely related to genuine ebony, but is obtained from different species in the same genus; one of these is Diospyros quaesita Thwaites, from Sri Lanka. The name Calamander comes from the local sinhalese name, 'kalu-medhiriya', which means dark chamber; referring to the characteristic ebony black wood.

Our reference: A5441