English naval writing board - Solid mahogany and brass - nineteenth century

Large marine casket in solid mahogany decorated with brass reinforcements and blank cartridge. This magnificent work is english in the taste of the productions of martin guillaume biennais, the goldsmith of napoleon 1st (1764-1843) and the two empresses. It closes with a small key. Open, it forms a writing board with inclined plane covered with black leather. This writing plan is divided into two elements that are raised each discovering a mahogany locker, the bottom one is held by two small brass 'pushers'. In the upper part, the writing board is furnished with five lockers: a long one in the middle (with lid), framed by two means (with lids provided for one with a small bone button) and two small ones at the ends (used for inkwells).  The middle locker, on the right, contains a system that clears the baseboard below, which houses three 'mini' secret drawers. He also reveals two small candle holders to write when it is dark by candlelight and he is equipped with a ruler, cleverly closed in his copper tube. Period: xixth. Circa: 1820. Dimensions: height: 17cm X length: 60, 5cm X depth: 30cm. Beautiful model, the use of solid mahogany (rot-proof wood) and the reinforcements of angles in cladding are intended to make the box more robust to the falls that could create the roll on a boat at sea. A refined object adapted to the daily life of a gentleman naval officer. Very good condition, cleaned and revived by our workshops.

Ref. : SFWAB1QT