How do you open the secret drawers?

Makers hid secret compartments behind false bottoms, removable partitions or dummy pen trays inside the writing box. Releasing them often requires sliding a specific divider or pressing a hidden wooden spring. Searching along the inner linings for loose panels usually reveals the mechanism without forcing the wood.

Were these boxes used for travel?

Many writing boxes were built specifically for military officers, sailors and colonial administrators on the move. Brass binding and recessed handles protected the corners from the bumps of carriage and ship travel. Heavier rosewood and coromandel versions with delicate Tunbridge Ware remained at home on stationary tables.

What is the difference between a slope and a Davenport?

A writing slope is a portable box designed to sit on top of a table or desk and be stored away when not in use. A Davenport is a fixed, standing pedestal desk with a sloping writing surface built directly over a set of drawers. Both serve the same purpose of providing an angled writing plane but occupy different spaces in a room.

How do I care for the leather writing surface?

Original leather writing panels require gentle cleaning with a dry or barely damp cloth to avoid staining the aged hide. Modern leather balms should be used sparingly, as antique tooling and gold leaf can lift if over-moistened. Keeping the box away from direct sunlight prevents the leather from drying and cracking.

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19th Century Slope

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When you open a 19th century slope, you enter a private world of fitted inkwells, secret drawers and folding leather writing surfaces made for a portable desk life.

19th century

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19th Century Inlaid Irish Killarney Writing Slope

From Debenham Antiques Ltd

£1,250

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19thc Pollard Oak Davenport Desk with Drawers Both Sides

1900 - 1920

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19thc Pollard Oak Davenport Desk with Drawers Both Sides

From Helios and Co Antiques

£795

3+ MONTHS AGO

desks

19th century

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19th Century Burr Walnut Davenport

From Martlesham Antiques

£1,950

3+ MONTHS AGO

desks

Victorian Tunbridgeware Walnut Travelling Inkwell

19th century

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Victorian Tunbridgeware Walnut Travelling Inkwell

From Past to Present

£110

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlaid Davenport Desk 19th C

19th century

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Antique Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlaid Davenport Desk 19th C

From Regent Antiques

£1,925

3+ MONTHS AGO

desks

Victorian Davenport Desk Burr Walnut 1860

19th century

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Victorian Davenport Desk Burr Walnut 1860

From Canonbury Antiques

£1,400

3+ MONTHS AGO

desks

19th century

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Large 19th-century Satinwood and Ebony Writing Box

From Colton Antiques

£750

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19th century

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19th-century Anglo-indian Ebony Writing Box with Reeded Decoration

From Colton Antiques

£860

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

Empire Period Bronze and Marble Desk Top Inkstand by Lefebvre of Belgium, Circa 1820

19th century

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Empire Period Bronze and Marble Desk Top Inkstand by Lefebvre of Belgium, Circa 1820

From Robert Belcher Antiques

£4,600

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

19th century

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19th Century Campaign Metamorphic Camphor Writing Slope

From Debenham Antiques Ltd

£1,250

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

The selection includes pieces spanning the Georgian, Regency, William IV and Victorian eras, alongside specialised campaign and Tunbridge Ware examples.

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

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19th century

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19th-century Anglo-indian Ebony Writing Box with Ivory Inlay

From Colton Antiques

£950

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19th century

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19th Century Ceylonese Ebony Writing Box

From Colton Antiques

£920

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19th century

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Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport

From FB Antiques

£695

3+ MONTHS AGO

desks

19th century

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Late 19th Century Mahogany Writing Slope

From Worboys Antiques

£225

3+ MONTHS AGO

boxes

19th century

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Early 19th Century Mahogany Davenport

From Salisbury Antiques Centre

£3,750

3+ MONTHS AGO

desks

← 1 ... 4 5 6 7 8 ... 12 →

19th Century Slope

19th Century Inlaid Irish Killarney Writing Slope

19thc Pollard Oak Davenport Desk with Drawers Both Sides

19th Century Burr Walnut Davenport

Victorian Tunbridgeware Walnut Travelling Inkwell

Antique Victorian Burr Walnut & Inlaid Davenport Desk 19th C

Victorian Davenport Desk Burr Walnut 1860

Large 19th-century Satinwood and Ebony Writing Box

19th-century Anglo-indian Ebony Writing Box with Reeded Decoration

Empire Period Bronze and Marble Desk Top Inkstand by Lefebvre of Belgium, Circa 1820

19th Century Campaign Metamorphic Camphor Writing Slope

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

19th-century Anglo-indian Ebony Writing Box with Ivory Inlay

19th Century Ceylonese Ebony Writing Box

Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport

Late 19th Century Mahogany Writing Slope

Early 19th Century Mahogany Davenport

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