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A 19thc Anglo Indian brass bound & ivory box

Code: 340

Dimensions:

A superb quality late 19thc Anglo Indian brass bound & ivory inlaid writing box of shisham wood, of large proportions from the Hoshiarpur region of India.

The hinged lid has central inlaid patterns of ivory of scrolling foliage designs with a border, again profusely inlaid with naturalistic patterns.

The front, sides and back are also profusely inlaid with foliage, floral and tree images.

There is a brass lock at the front with a key and brass decoration on the corners with brass inset carrying handles on the sides.

The inside of the lid has a letter rack again with inlaid foliage designs.

The main box area has an inlaid central section with slate sections either side and an inlaid tambour sliding shutter at the back uncovering a pen holder. This conceals a hidden drawer, accessed by a pully inside this section and the drawer then 'pops out' on the side of the box.

This central section opens up to a recessed section for storage.

The front section folds down to create a writing slope covered in green baize (colour or fabric could be changed if not to your taste) and there is an open compartment containing a drawer.

The main timber used in the Hoshiarpur region was shisham which was indigenous to the area.

This area was renowned for its high quality ivory inlaid items and pieces were shown at various local exhibitions in the late 19thc and many items were purchased.

Many items were exported to Bombay & Calcutta and increasingly to London, England and records from the early 20thc state that ship loads were exported to both Europe & America.

The people of the Hoshiarpur district presented a similar inlaid box to Queen Victoria in 1887 to celebrate her Golden Jubilee and this can be seen at the V&A in London where it has been on loan from the Royal Collection since 1924.

This writing box is of excellent quality and condition ready to go straight into a collection, office or home.

For further information see 'Furniture from British India & Ceylon' by Amin Jaffer - pages 285-293.

Size:

Height: 6.5'' / 16.5cm

Width: 18'' / 46cm

Depth: 12'' / 31cm