Description

This Large Brass Bound Antique Writing Box by Austin of Dublin is veneered in a superb Coromandel wood, with campaign side handles, two secret compartments and a pair of inkwells.

This larger-than-average writing box is veneered in exotic Coromandel, it has brass quadrant edging and fine double stringing. On the front is a large vacant initial plate and a large brass escutcheon, with the barrel of the Bramah lock protruding out, and it has sturdy campaign-style carry handles on either side.

Opening the writing slope you’ll see it’s faced in Coromandel, which has ornate “L” shaped brass reinforcers to each corner, making it more robust for transportation.

A pen tray with a void underneath which for more writing-related pieces such as wax for seals, pencils and more fountain-dip pens etc, with a lid and a sloped compartment, for knibs on either side, and flanking these are two fantastic brass screw-top Glass Inkwells.

The writing surface is made from black leather and has gold tooling, which bares the makers name Austin of Dublin. Lifting the lower half reveals a generous amount of storage space, while lifting the upper half reveals a lockable compartment with an ornate escutcheon. However, this compartment locks for a noteworthy reason as it contains a secret compartment. Three hidden drawers hide behind a false wall; to access these drawers, the far right compartment divider must be pinched and lifted, causing the false wall to spring forward!

An escutcheon and a functioning lock and key are located on the upper half of the writing slope.

There is a small brass pin located at right-hand edge of the open box, which helps keep the side drawer secure in transit. The side drawer cannot be accessed unless the box is opened and the pin is lifted. In the compartment’s void, a top-secret document drawer can be found by lifting the carry handle and removed the side drawer. For the tray to be released, the right-hand hidden drawer in the upper storage compartment must be removed, and the right-hand wall of its void must be pressed.

This hidden tray is a perfect hiding place for precious letters or important documents…

This writing box comes with a fully working Bramah Patent lock and a tasselled key. The lock is spring-loaded, meaning the key has to be pressed into the lock whilst turning clockwise to unlock.

– George Austin was a cabinet maker in Dublin starting in the early 1800s and the business traded throughout the 1800s. He specialised in campaign furniture with portable writing desks, dressing cases and decanter boxes. His son Thomas joined the business around the 1840s and was just as skilled as his father with both winning numerous awards from Dublin exhibitions and being commended for their work at The Great Exhibition in London. Their quality of workmanship and renown meant that they could trade under just “Austin’s”. –

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.