Antique Large Solid Mahogany & Brass-Banded Writing Slope/Lectern-Lock-No Key

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Seller: cleetus1969 ✉️ (1,250) 99.2%, Location: Horsham, GB, Ships to: GB, Item: 186360900913 Antique Large Solid Mahogany & Brass-Banded Writing Slope/Lectern-Lock-No Key. This is a large and heavy solid mahogany writing slope which could date as early as the Georgian period. It has an octagonal lock escutcheon to protect its keyhole and a set of three brass bands on its corners to protect them from impact damage. It also has brass drop handles at each side for portability. On its right side it has a pull out drawer which is held in place with a brass locking pin. On the inside of the writing slope it has compartments at its top left and right corners for holding inkwells. Next to the left inkwell receptacle it has a dual pen rest and a space for storing small writing implements. It also has a felt green skiver which appears to have been fitted more recently and probably replaces a leather skiver which would have had gold and blind tooling. Both sections of the skiver lift to reveal compartments beneath where items can be stored. The underside of the lower skiver section also has a ribbon lattice work area for storing letters or papers. Around the edge of the skiver are a number of elements made from brass: a locking pin for holding the right side drawer in place, twin hinges, the lock strikes for the mortice lock (one of the strikes is broken), a gate for the lock (also broken) and a catch for holding the bottom of the skiver in place when the lid is closed.  What is unusual about this writing slope is that it can also be used as a lectern. Under the lower flap is stored a mahogany timber section which can be seen in photograph 14. The timber section has two brass pins that locate in two brass ferrules in the top of the slope. These can be seen at the 11 and 1 o'clock positions in photograph 9. When the two pins in the mahogany timber section are inserted into the two holes in the lid they form a back rest for placing a book after the lid has been elevated by means of a brass hinged stay that lifts up and locates in a brass slot. For the hinged stay and slots see photograph 14. For the lectern in operation please see photographs 21-24 Condition The item is in good condition for its age. The mahogany has shrunk slightly in places. This is especially visible at the top corner edges of the box. The only sign of a crack is at the front of the box where the mortice lock is fitted. It is possible the damage was caused when someone has tried to force the lock or because the wood in this section of the box is quite thin and an impact against it has caused the crack. It can be seen just above the brass lock escutcheon in photographs 1-4. The only other significant crack in the mahogany body of the box is on the underside of the pull out side drawer. This can be seen in photographs 13-17.  The base of the box appears to be made from a section of pine. This has shrunk significantly over time and is also split and cracked in at least one place. To see this please look at photograph 10. The box has numerous scuffs, scratches and marks on its body too many to catalogue. These are most prominent on the lid of the slope and can be seen in photographs 1, 3-4, 7 and 9. The hinges are solid and the lid closes correctly and securely.  There are no signs of woodworm in the box. The brassbanding is in good condition. Please see the photographs for an accurate representation of the item's overall condition. They also form an important part of the item's description. It is approximately 148mm high by 454mm wide by 233mm deep. It weighs approximately 3.833 Kg The item comes from a pet free home. Please note we do not post outside of the UK.
  • Style/ Period: Georgian
  • Sub-Type: Mahogany
  • Primary Material: Wood/ Woodenware
  • Product: Boxes
  • Product Sub-Type: Writing Boxes/ Slopes
  • Age: 1800-1849
  • Original/Repro: Original
  • Antique: Yes

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