What is a Victorian coromandel desk set?

A Victorian coromandel desk set is a suite of coordinated writing tools and storage accessories, typically comprising items such as a stationery casket, inkstand, blotter cover, and book slide, crafted during the mid-to-late 19th century for formal writing tables.

What materials were used to construct Victorian desk sets?

High-end 19th-century desk sets frequently incorporated imported hardwoods like coromandel or rosewood, ornamented with cast ormolu or brass strapwork, porcelain cabochons, and hand-cut glass ink bottles.

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

Authentic pieces feature the distinct dark brown and black striped grain of coromandel timber, hand-fitted brass strapwork, period lock mechanisms, and original cut-glass inkwells with brass fittings.

How do you style an antique desk set in a modern interior?

A complete desk set can be arranged across an executive office desk, library table, or console cabinet to add historical texture and structured decorative detail to a modern workspace.

How should coromandel wood and brass mounts be maintained?

Dust the wood grain regularly using a dry microfibre cloth, apply natural beeswax sparingly to preserve the timber, and avoid abrasive cleaners on gilt brass or ormolu fittings.

for sale €2,516 $2,731

£2,150

Regent Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2016

View Dealers Stock Page

About Us

We specialise in english and continental furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative items.
Trade Associations

Regent Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA CINOA

Relevant Links

Dark Wood Inkstand

Brass Mounted Stationery Box

Victorian Writing Accessories

Victorian Brass Mounted Casket

Id #SA962204

PDF

SAVE

Antique English Coromandel & Ormolu Mounted Four Piece Desk Set Mid 19th C

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a wonderful and highly decorative antique Victorian ormolu mounted coromandel four piece desk set by the renowned London maker of luxury items, Betjemann & Sons, cira 1860 in date,

The set features gothic style mounts enclosing porcelain medallions decorated with cherubs, comprising a dome topped casket, an adjustable bookrest, a circular cut glass inkwell and a blotter.

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

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully restored in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 2 x Width 18 x Depth 41 - Blotter

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 inch x Width 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches - Blotter

Betjemann & Sons

In 1812 George Betjemann started apprenticing as a cabinet maker with his uncle, Gilbert Slater at his premises on Carthusian Street, London. In 1834, George then joined his father-in-law, William Merrick’s cabinet making business on Red Lion Street, Clerkenwell, London. George brought his sons, George William Betjemann and John Betjemann to apprentice with him from 1848. He began his own business at 6 Upper Ashby Street, Clerkenwell, London, and with his two sons having completed their apprenticeships in 1855, expanded to 7 Upper Ashby Street shortly after.

In 1859, George moved into 36 Pentonville Road, London where he continued his business, now called George Betjemann & Sons, alongside his two sons. George William never married but instead was ‘married’ to his work, being a true artist and perfectionist. Their work was on display at the International Exhibition of 1862, and the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris. They took the art of cabinet, box and book slide making to new heights. They specialised in designs for operating the way that different compartments in vanity boxes opened and also the sprung system for book slides.

By 1871, they had expanded their residence to incorporate 38 Pentonville Road and were employing 119 people. Records show that by 1875 a further incorporation of 40 Pentonville Road was undertaken. George died in 1886 at the age of 88 and George William and John ran George Betjemann & Sons in partnership until John’s death in 1893. George William then established a business partnership with John’s sons, John George Betjemann and Ernest Edward Betjemann. Around 1896, John George and Ernest Edward established an offshoot company called Betjemann Brothers, based at 2 Newcastle Place, Clerkenwell, London. This company ran alongside George Betjemann & Sons until they were merged in 1903, following the death of George William. In 1909, they became a limited company, known as George Betjemann & Sons Ltd.

With Ernest’s son John (the future poet Sir John Betjeman) having no interest in carrying on the family business, George Betjemann & Sons Ltd finally wound up in 1939.

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.

Coromandel wood has been logged to extinction over the last 2 to 3 hundred years and is no longer available for new work in any quantity. Furniture in coromandel is so expensive and so well looked after that even recycling it is an unlikely source. A substitute, Macassar Ebony, has similar characteristics and to the untrained eye is nearly the same but it lack

Physical Dimensions

Height

2cm (0.79")

Width

18cm (7.09")

Depth

41cm (16.14")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Coromandel Wood Desk Set to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA962204

Dealers Internal Reference

A3074x

Description

This is a wonderful and highly decorative antique Victorian ormolu mounted coromandel four piece desk set by the renowned London maker of luxury items, Betjemann & Sons, cira 1860 in date,

“

The set features gothic style mounts enclosing porcelain medallions decorated with cherubs, comprising a dome topped casket, an adjustable bookrest, a circular cut glass inkwell and a blotter.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A four-piece mid-19th-century English desk set crafted from dark striped coromandel wood with brass strapwork and porcelain inserts, including a casket, blotter, book slide, and inkstand. — fig 1. Antique English Coromandel & Ormolu Mounted Four Piece Desk Set Mid 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:

In excellent condition having been beautifully restored in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

fig 2. A four-piece mid-19th-century English desk set crafted from dark striped coromandel wood with brass strapwork and porcelain inserts, including a casket, blotter, book slide, and inkstand. — fig 2. Antique English Coromandel & Ormolu Mounted Four Piece Desk Set Mid 19th C

Dimensions in cm:

Height 2 x Width 18 x Depth 41 - Blotter

Dimensions in inches:

Height 1 inch x Width 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches - Blotter

Betjemann & Sons

In 1812 George Betjemann started apprenticing as a cabinet maker with his uncle, Gilbert Slater at his premises on Carthusian Street, London. In 1834, George then joined his father-in-law, William Merrick’s cabinet making business on Red Lion Street, Clerkenwell, London. George brought his sons, George William Betjemann and John Betjemann to apprentice with him from 1848. He began his own business at 6 Upper Ashby Street, Clerkenwell, London, and with his two sons having completed their apprenticeships in 1855, expanded to 7 Upper Ashby Street shortly after.

fig 3. A four-piece mid-19th-century English desk set crafted from dark striped coromandel wood with brass strapwork and porcelain inserts, including a casket, blotter, book slide, and inkstand. — fig 3. Antique English Coromandel & Ormolu Mounted Four Piece Desk Set Mid 19th C

In 1859, George moved into 36 Pentonville Road, London where he continued his business, now called George Betjemann & Sons, alongside his two sons. George William never married but instead was ‘married’ to his work, being a true artist and perfectionist. Their work was on display at the International Exhibition of 1862, and the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris. They took the art of cabinet, box and book slide making to new heights. They specialised in designs for operating the way that different compartments in vanity boxes opened and also the sprung system for book slides.

fig 4. A four-piece mid-19th-century English desk set crafted from dark striped coromandel wood with brass strapwork and porcelain inserts, including a casket, blotter, book slide, and inkstand. — fig 4. Antique English Coromandel & Ormolu Mounted Four Piece Desk Set Mid 19th C

By 1871, they had expanded their residence to incorporate 38 Pentonville Road and were employing 119 people. Records show that by 1875 a further incorporation of 40 Pentonville Road was undertaken. George died in 1886 at the age of 88 and George William and John ran George Betjemann & Sons in partnership until John’s death in 1893. George William then established a business partnership with John’s sons, John George Betjemann and Ernest Edward Betjemann. Around 1896, John George and Ernest Edward established an offshoot company called Betjemann Brothers, based at 2 Newcastle Place, Clerkenwell, London. This company ran alongside George Betjemann & Sons until they were merged in 1903, following the death of George William. In 1909, they became a limited company, known as George Betjemann & Sons Ltd.

fig 5. A four-piece mid-19th-century English desk set crafted from dark striped coromandel wood with brass strapwork and porcelain inserts, including a casket, blotter, book slide, and inkstand. — fig 5. Antique English Coromandel & Ormolu Mounted Four Piece Desk Set Mid 19th C

With Ernest’s son John (the future poet Sir John Betjeman) having no interest in carrying on the family business, George Betjemann & Sons Ltd finally wound up in 1939.

Coromandel wood or Calamander wood

fig 6. A four-piece mid-19th-century English desk set crafted from dark striped coromandel wood with brass strapwork and porcelain inserts, including a casket, blotter, book slide, and inkstand. — fig 6. Antique English Coromandel & Ormolu Mounted Four Piece Desk Set Mid 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.

fig 7. A four-piece mid-19th-century English desk set crafted from dark striped coromandel wood with brass strapwork and porcelain inserts, including a casket, blotter, book slide, and inkstand. — fig 7. Antique English Coromandel & Ormolu Mounted Four Piece Desk Set Mid 19th C

Coromandel wood has been logged to extinction over the last 2 to 3 hundred years and is no longer available for new work in any quantity. Furniture in coromandel is so expensive and so well looked after that even recycling it is an unlikely source. A substitute, Macassar Ebony, has similar characteristics and to the untrained eye is nearly the same but it lack