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ID #SA1238999
FOR SALE
£445
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Curl Grain Mahogany and Brass Bound Writing Slope with Secret Drawers
For sale by John Hubbard Antiques
for sale €521     $565
£445
John Hubbard Antiques

John Hubbard Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2014
Browse dealers 98 items
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Id #SA1238999
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Curl Grain Mahogany and Brass Bound Writing Slope with Secret Drawers

19th century
Description

A super figured mahogany and brass bound 19th century writing slope. The top and front with double brass string inlay, vacant shaped engraving plate with matching escutcheon working lock and key.

Inside opens to a beautiful black lamb skiver, with blind and gilt embossing, a lift out pen tray, a pair of quality brass screw topped inkwells and a nib/stamp compartment.

The top board opens to a stationery compartment and a cover, released by lifting one of the inkwell surrounds, conceals two secret drawers with tiny turned wooden knobs. A very tight mechanism with no wear or faults.

Size: 15.3/4" x 9.7/8" x 6" (40cm x 25cm x 15cm)

Stock no: 4934

Dealers note. This is a very complete package in as good a condition as anyone could hope for considering it's 150 years of life, and would make a fabulous gift destined to become a family heirloom. Post and packing to the UK just £15. Overseas enquiries welcome and price determined by destination.

Physical Dimensions
Height
15cm (5.91")
Width
40cm (15.75")
Depth
25cm (9.84")
Declaration

John Hubbard Antiques has dated this Mahogany Brass Writing Slope to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1238999
Dealers Internal Reference
4934
Dealers Notes

We welcome and encourage visitors. We are available by appointment only Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm, other times by arrangement.

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Description
A super figured mahogany and brass bound 19th century writing slope.
“
The top and front with double brass string inlay, vacant shaped engraving plate with matching escutcheon working lock and key.
John Hubbard Antiques

Inside opens to a beautiful black lamb skiver, with blind and gilt embossing, a lift out pen tray, a pair of quality brass screw topped inkwells and a nib/stamp compartment.

fig 1. A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon.
fig 1. Curl Grain Mahogany and Brass Bound Writing Slope with Secret Drawers

The top board opens to a stationery compartment and a cover, released by lifting one of the inkwell surrounds, conceals two secret drawers with tiny turned wooden knobs. A very tight mechanism with no wear or faults.

fig 2. A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon.
fig 2. Curl Grain Mahogany and Brass Bound Writing Slope with Secret Drawers

Size: 15.3/4" x 9.7/8" x 6" (40cm x 25cm x 15cm)

Stock no: 4934

Dealers note. This is a very complete package in as good a condition as anyone could hope for considering it's 150 years of life, and would make a fabulous gift destined to become a family heirloom. Post and packing to the UK just £15. Overseas enquiries welcome and price determined by destination.

Height
15cm (5.91")
Width
40cm (15.75")
Depth
25cm (9.84")
Date of Manufacture

John Hubbard Antiques has dated this Mahogany Brass Writing Slope to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1238999
Dealers Internal Ref
4934
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 curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon.
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Archive I A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon.

Curl Grain Mahogany and Brass Bound Writing Slope with Secret Drawers

Archive II A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon. View II
Archive III A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon. View III
Archive IV A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon. View IV
Archive V A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon. View V
Archive VI A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon. View VI
Archive VII A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon. View VII
Archive VIII A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon. View VIII
Archive IX A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon. View IX
Archive X A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon. View X
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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 curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon.
Curl grain mahogany and brass bound writing slope with secret drawers
Ref: SA1238999
A rectangular curl grain mahogany writing slope box featuring fine brass stringing, brass bound corners, a central brass cartouche, and a keyhole escutcheon.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWriting Slopes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleRegency
  • MaterialMahogany, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsBrass inlay, Brass bound corners, Cartouche motif, Curl grain wood
  • SizeH 15 cm (6 in) x W 40 cm (16 in) x D 25 cm (10 in)

This 19th-century Regency writing slope is made from warm brown curl grain mahogany with brass bound corners, double brass string inlay, and a central brass cartouche on the lid. The box includes a working lock with a key, a matching keyhole escutcheon on the front, and solid brass edge banding running around the entire perimeter of the lid. It measures 15 cm high, 40 cm wide, and 25 cm deep. Suitable for an office desk or a gentleman's library, this compact box provides a practical surface for correspondence while adding traditional character to a workspace. The enclosed design stores stationery neatly out of sight when not in use.

FAQs

Writing slopes, also known as lap desks, became widely popular in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as portable writing stations. Designed for travellers, military officers, and estate management, they provided a portable surface equipped with inkwells, pen trays, and storage space for correspondence.

High-quality writing slopes were typically constructed from solid hardwood cores faced with figure-rich veneers such as curl mahogany or rosewood. They featured brass strapping or stringing for corner reinforcement during travel, alongside hand-cut dovetail joints, velvet or leather writing surfaces, and brass locks.

Authentic period examples exhibit hand-cut joinery, original brass hardware with natural oxidisation, and signs of age-appropriate wear to the underside. Look for concealed spring-loaded secret drawers hidden behind internal dividers, as well as cast brass cartouches and keyhole escutcheons.

Place the box closed on a modern office desk, sideboard top, or bookshelf to serve as a warm focal point. It can function as an elegant catch-all for stationery, modern tablet devices, or personal keepsakes while adding historical texture to a room.

Maintain timber veneers by applying a high-quality beeswax polish along the grain and avoiding direct sunlight or proximity to radiators. Brass mounts should be kept clean using a soft, dry cloth; harsh chemical polishes should be avoided to preserve the natural aged patina.
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