1801 Antique Rosewood & Brass Georgian Captain's Writing Box Hidden Storage

  
Stunning 1800 Antique Rosewood & Brass Georgian Captain's Writing Box Hidden Compartments. Authentic antique captain's writing boxes aren't just visually stunning, they are complex "puzzles" that showcase a craftsman's unparalleled ingenuity and skill. This captain's writing box, in particular, is of the - finest - authentic examples on the market. This Georgian captain's box was made circa 1800, making this piece about 224 YEARS OLD. It is crafted of HEAVY, dense, solid brass, hand tooled and gold gilded leather, and beautiful, veneered rosewood.

For those unaware, this type of writing box would have been used as a traveling desk mainly by a military captain. A valet would have been used to carry for the gentleman officer on a campaign or safari. This is a - very - intricate example of the writing box, and as such - the following description is designed to give one an idea of how to access all parts of the piece.

Note, too, that the materials this box employs (veneered rosewood, solid brass, and thick, hand tooled leather) are in - spectacular - form. For the collector, this is - no doubt - a set maker. This box was a gift to that of myself from a close friend - a Hollywood figure who had wonderful taste and appreciation of quality.

This box has been housed in my temp/humidity controlled office since 1987. I never thought the day would come that I'd be parting with the piece, yet - I'm an old man now. I have reached a point in my life where I have begun to think of what will become of my precious treasures after my time here is up. A piece like this 224 year old writing box?

I want to make sure it ends up in the right hands. That I will find - someone - out there who will give this piece the continued admiration and care that it so deserves. Maybe, too, I will find someone that plans on keeping this writing box in the family.

With all of its intricacies and puzzles, this box truly does have universal appeal. To say it is a conversation starter is an understatement! At any rate, here we go. The exterior of this 1800 Georgian Captain's Writing Box is veneered rosewood.

You know the saying photos don't do justice? That is the case here. The hue of the 224 year old veneered rosewood is absolutely BREATHTAKING. The box (especially the interior) has an incredible aroma.

A smell that I find to be synonymous with quality. Adding further depth and character to the aged rosewood?

The HEAVY used of solid, thick aged brass. This writing box is unique in the sheer volume of brass hardware incorporated throughout. At the front of the exterior of the box, a solid brass lock plate ending in sort of symmetrical dual Fleur De Li.

At the top of the box, every corner is capped in thick brass, with Fleur De Li symbols pointing inwards towards. At the center of the box's top, a large, heavy brass plate embedded into the rosewood. Note that wherever you see brass, a "placeholder" for that brass piece has has actually been carved into the rosewood.

The surface of the box's exterior is completely smooth. When you run your finger from the wooden surface, across brass inlay - you feel - nothing! The attention to detail, and time that must have went into crafting such an exterior is truly confounding. The brass plate at the center of the top of the box is without engraving and unblemished. Before moving to the box's sides, back, and bottom I want to make note of the beauty of the brass. The natural patina visible on all elements of brass hardware is the result of - many - years gone by. While this brass technically - could - be polished to a bright and gleaming shine, I believe doing so would (in a way) almost desecrate the aged beauty of this 1800 Georgian writing box. The sides of this writing box's exterior again are a mix of veneered rosewood and brass. My favorite element of the box's sides? Look at the "shadow lines" in the wood, where the "segments" of this box are showcased. How awesome, and unusual, is that! These segments of the box will make a lot more sense when we open the piece up. At each side, solid brass handles. Even here the brilliant design of this Georgian 1800 writing box is on display. Run your fingers across the big brass plaques at the box's sides - and - again - so perfectly inlaid is the brass that you can't even feel the transition from wood to brass. In what way does this brass "plaque" function as a handle? A tiny indent in the bottom of the handle allows for the tip of your finger to "catch, " pull up - and you have a handle!

The handles are strong, thick, and durable.. Perfectly functional, and (of course) another beautiful addition to an already highly unique piece. The back of this writing box presents stunning veneered rosewood, that perfect natural canvas only interrupted by the implementation of aged brass.

Near the top of the box's back, one can see the top's (the lid's) subtle brass hinges. The bottom of this box is lined in blue felt padding. You cannot see this padding - whatsoever - even if you really try. The only time the padding is visible, of course, is if you have the piece flipped upside down. This felt padding is a nice addition, serving to prolong this box's structural integrity and allowing one to "slide" the box across a table without having to fear about doing any damage!

Step One: With the box facing you, lift the heavy top lid. The hinges will stop the lid at just more than a 90 degree angle. The inside of the top of the lid is a spectacular display of aged, thick, and blood red leather - bordered in hand tooled gilded "gold" filigree.

The filigree design (entirely done painstakingly by hand) is EXTREMELY detailed. The gold hued etched filigree design gives the inside of the top lid mesmerizing contrast - the blood red leather being in juxtaposition to the bright gold hues of the lovely filigree border.

Looking towards the top of the red leather at the inside lid, you will find a metal latch. Push this latch clockwise until it clears the lip of the lid, and pull the leather facia down to reveal a "writing wallet" to store papers and important documents. Note, to secure the latch, push it back COUNTER clockwise. Do not attempt to re-secure by pushing clockwise - as the latch was not designed to secure in this way.

The writing wallet is lined in a soft blue "felt" of sorts, with red leather at the exterior sides (and, of course, front). With the lid open, along the top row are the following items. Aged glass inkwell for one color of ink (usually blue). Compartment with lid to hold pen nibs. Middle section is a pen rest, with storage underneath.

Slanted compartment to hold stamps. Inkwell for second color of ink (usually red). To open the box to reveal the slanted blood red leather desk in all of its glory, grasp either side of the box towards the rear (in front of the inkwells) and pull up and towards you.

You are now looking at the large, THICK red leather slanted writing desk. And what a writing desk this is!!! In my honest opinion, this is one of the most visually stunning elements of this writing box.

The leather, too, is in INCREDIBLE condition.. Vibrant in color and hue. No tears, heavy stains, etc.

The border of this slanted writing desk employs the same gold hued, hand tooled filigree border seen at the writing wallet. " The border of the writing desk, however - goes - beyond - the filigree border in the form of an "outer border of sorts. This "outer border" displays floral vines, hand tooled directly into the blood red leather. Below the surface of the gorgeous writing desk in an interior storage compartment.

To access this storage compartment, you can do one of two things. Look for the red ribbon at the top right of the desk and pull up. Look for the red ribbon at the bottom right of the desk and pull down.

NOTE: The bottom portion of the writing desk employs a small brass "latch" to secure in place. Before pulling at the bottom right red ribbon, slide the peg of the brass latch down. To re-secure the bottom portion of the writing desk, push down on the bottom portion of the writing desk with one hand, and -push- the brass peg of the latch back up until it catches. You can test to see if the latch has been successfully re-secured by giving the red ribbon a pull. The storage compartment under the top portion of the writing desk may look cracked. This is the natural patterning of the wood - and part of the original design as was intended. Now we move on to what is my FAVORITE element of this 224 year old Georgian rosewood writing box.. This truly is a "hidden" compartment, as there is simply NO WAY one would ever be the wiser of this box's secret. To access the hidden storage compartment, follow these steps. One: remove the inkwell on the right side of the box.

Two: push down on the floor of the inkwell compartment toward the left hand side. Three: While pushing down on the inkwell floor, find the large slab of wood below and pull out at the right side. The large slab of wood will remove entirely, revealing three BEAUTIFUL fully functional rosewood drawers! To re-secure the slab, insert the left side of the wooden slab (the side with the notch in the wood) into the "gap" on the left side of the box. Then simply bring the right side to the little brass latch, and push until you hear it snap back : This might sound complex, but it is actually - incredibly - simple.

I've included some photos of the process above to help you feel a bit more confident, but again - you won't have any issues accessing your awesome hidden drawers! NOTE: DO NOT SWITCH UP THE HIDDEN DRAWERS. Overall, this box is in TRULY spectacular form!!! Minor, surface level scuffing on the wood (did I mention this box is 224 years old).

Some slight discoloration on the leather exterior of the "wallet pocket" inside the top lid. Some slight discoloration on the gold hued gilded hand tooled filigree border (exterior wallet pocket). One mismatched screw at the interior of the hinge plate (left side). Scuffing above the latch that secures the wallet pocket.

The wear on this box is aesthetic and minor : but treat the piece gently! This is a 224 year old piece. If something isn't working the way you - think - it should be, be patient. Look back at my description for help if need be - but do not - force - anything.

Overall, this is one of the most exquisite writing boxes I've seen in my many, many years. It is by far the most visually stunning. With its heavy aged brass and veneered 1800 rosewood. Authentic writing boxes as such are a VERY hard find these days.

I know that once this piece leaves my care - well - I'll never see another like it. I will get back to you promptly.

This piece comes with the original COA/instructional sheet that it came with. Use this sheet for quick tips and tricks on how to navigate your 1800 Georgian Captain's Writing Box!

18 inches length by 10.75 inches width by 6 inches height. 16.25 inches top to bottom by 18 inches across! A lot of room to work with!

Weight: THIS BOX WEIGHS ABOUT 13 POUNDS!!! A heavy rosewood and brass antique Georgian-made ensemble! It comes with the key. To lock, apply pressure to top lid and turn key counter clockwise.

Though the lock does indeed still work, I try not to unlock and lock often. I normally keep the key at the interior resting on the beautiful pen tray.