What is the green velvet for inside the lid?

That fabric panel usually forms the writing surface. The lid folds back to create a sloped desk. Makers chose velvet or baize to provide some friction. It stops your paper sliding around while you use a dip pen.

I found an old box in my uncle's attic and it has a strange little side drawer that won't open when I pull it, so how does it work?

You've found a box with a sprung side drawer. These lock automatically when the main lid is shut. Open the top and look around the inner rim. You'll often see a small brass pin or a wooden button. Pressing that releases the catch.

Can I polish the brass corner pieces?

Yes, but use a light touch. Heavy polishing wears the metal down. Most dealers just wipe away surface dirt. Dull brass suits the old timber.

The interior of my tea caddy has these two separate compartments with lids, and I was wondering why they didn't just leave it as one big space for the tea leaves?

Households drank different types of tea. They'd usually keep black tea in one side and green tea in the other. The separate lids stopped the strong flavours from mixing. A glass bowl often sat between them for blending the two leaves together. This setup gave the owner full control over their morning brew.

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Regency Boxes from the 18th Century

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Regency boxes are small, brass-bound containers crafted between 1811 and 1820, designed to sit on library tables and protect letters, ink, or sewing tools from dust and prying eyes.