What is the difference between a writing slope and a writing box?

A slope has a hinged lid that opens out into a sloping writing surface, leather or velvet lined, with inkwells and pen trays inside. That is the form named in 575 titles. Writing box is used more broadly on Sellingantiques. It takes in flat-lidded correspondence boxes and desk-standing stationery boxes and cabinets, which hold paper and letters rather than folding out for use on the knees.

Which woods are most common?

Walnut leads, named in 252 titles, with burr walnut in around a hundred and figured walnut in another thirty. Rosewood, mahogany and coromandel follow. Earlier Georgian and Regency boxes lean towards mahogany and rosewood. Oak turns up at both ends of the range: in 17th-century desk and Bible boxes, and in plainer later work.

What makes a box a campaign writing slope?

Campaign means made for military or travelling use. In practice that shows as brass straps over the edges and corners, flush handles that sit level with the sides, and a sturdy build. Campaign appears in 139 titles and brass bound in 138, which puts this group at roughly one in eight of the category. Military and travelling turn up in smaller numbers alongside.

Do writing boxes have secret compartments?

Fifty-three titles name secret drawers outright, and secret in some form appears in sixty-one. The usual arrangement is a drawer or compartment released from within the interior once the slope is open. Concealed work sits with other upper-range fittings. Named locks are called out in several titles, and candle sconces or candlesticks in a few more.

How accurate are the dates given in listings?

Treat them as brackets. Victorian and a plain 19th Century between them outweigh every decade, and only 274 of 738 sold listings carry a clean year. Titles are often more precise than the dated field. Several William IV and George III boxes are filed simply as Victorian, Regency or Georgian. The range as a whole runs 1700 to 1920.

Are there Asian or colonial examples?

Yes, as a small steady tail. Indian, Anglo-Indian and colonial boxes appear in modest numbers, including vizagapatam sandalwood and a porcupine-quill and ebony box. Japanese lacquer suzuribako turn up in a handful of listings, and single pieces include a Chinese huanghuali box and a Sri Lankan ebony one. Among 995 listings, these are the origins that appear once or twice rather than by the dozen.

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Antique Writing Boxes

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A portable wooden box whose hinged lid opens into a sloping, usually leather-lined writing surface, fitted with inkwells, pen trays and compartments for paper, made for writing away from a fixed desk.

Victorian Brass Bound Mahogany Writing Box

19th century

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Victorian Brass Bound Mahogany Writing Box

From Affordable Old Furniture

£250

FOR SALE

boxes

A Superb Circa 1900 Mahogany Stationery Cabinet

1900 - 1920

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A Superb Circa 1900 Mahogany Stationery Cabinet

From The Dorking Desk Shop

£675

FOR SALE

boxes

Antique Ladies Travelling Box, English, Sewing Case, Writing Slope, Victorian

19th century

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Antique Ladies Travelling Box, English, Sewing Case, Writing Slope, Victorian

From London Fine Antiques

£2,550

FOR SALE

boxes

Magical Antique English Burr Walnut & Hand-painted Porcelain Stationery Box C.1850

19th century

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Magical Antique English Burr Walnut & Hand-painted Porcelain Stationery Box C.1850

From Puckerings

£2,665

FOR SALE

boxes

Military Campaign Camphor Wood Roll Top Writing Slope

19th century

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Military Campaign Camphor Wood Roll Top Writing Slope

From Sinclairs Antiques and Interiors

£825

FOR SALE

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

19th century

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

From John Hubbard Antiques

£1,975

FOR SALE

boxes

19th century

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Victorian Leather Bound Writing Box

From Ballinderry Antiques

£290

FOR SALE

boxes

18th century

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Small Antique English 18th Century Georgian Oak Sloped Writing / Stationery / Letter Box / Chest (Circa 1790)

From Yolanda Gray Antiques

£345

FOR SALE

boxes

A Stunning, Circa 1890, Oak Drop-front Stationery Cabinet

19th century

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A Stunning, Circa 1890, Oak Drop-front Stationery Cabinet

From The Dorking Desk Shop

£765

FOR SALE

boxes

19th century

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19th Century Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Box

From Hobson May Collection

£330

FOR SALE

boxes

The most expensive writing box ever sold on Sellingantiques was a grand large English papier mache table cabinet of about 1860, sold in September 2016.

A Large Victorian Walnut and Brass Edged Writing Slope with Secret Drawers

19th century

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A Large Victorian Walnut and Brass Edged Writing Slope with Secret Drawers

From John Hubbard Antiques

£660

FOR SALE

boxes

A Wonderful Walnut Drop Front Stationery Cabinet

19th century

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A Wonderful Walnut Drop Front Stationery Cabinet

From The Dorking Desk Shop

£770

FOR SALE

boxes

19th century

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19th Century Marquetry Fruitwood Desktop Box

From Debenham Antiques Ltd

£695

FOR SALE

boxes

17th century

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A Fine 17th Century and Later Floral Marquetry Box

From H & H Gallery

£3,850

FOR SALE

boxes

19th century

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Satinwood Brass Overlay Lapdesk 1850

From Michael Johnson Antiques

£390

FOR SALE

boxes

Edwardian Marquetry Stationery Cabinet Circa 1900

1900 - 1920

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Edwardian Marquetry Stationery Cabinet Circa 1900

From Frank Craig Antiques

£280

FOR SALE

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Antique Writing Boxes

Victorian Brass Bound Mahogany Writing Box

A Superb Circa 1900 Mahogany Stationery Cabinet

Antique Ladies Travelling Box, English, Sewing Case, Writing Slope, Victorian

Magical Antique English Burr Walnut & Hand-painted Porcelain Stationery Box C.1850

Military Campaign Camphor Wood Roll Top Writing Slope

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

Victorian Leather Bound Writing Box

Small Antique English 18th Century Georgian Oak Sloped Writing / Stationery / Letter Box / Chest (Circa 1790)

A Stunning, Circa 1890, Oak Drop-front Stationery Cabinet

19th Century Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Box

A Large Victorian Walnut and Brass Edged Writing Slope with Secret Drawers

A Wonderful Walnut Drop Front Stationery Cabinet

19th Century Marquetry Fruitwood Desktop Box

A Fine 17th Century and Later Floral Marquetry Box

Satinwood Brass Overlay Lapdesk 1850

Edwardian Marquetry Stationery Cabinet Circa 1900

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