A substantial antique writing slope dating from around 1880 including the original inkwells, the original key, secret drawers and some rare documents. The box is campaign style and brass bound with a clear nameplate. The wood has a beautiful patina complemented perfectly but the polished brass; there is a mark to the left of the nameplate. The box opens to reveal the writing surface of burgundy leather with impressed gold borders and the two original inkwells with brass lids, the writing slope is cut along the crease, as is usual with these writing slopes. There is a key which fits and works the lock. The secret drawers sit under the pen rest and are hidden by a spring loaded panel which is opened by pulling up the last divider on the left hand side by the pen rest, this opens to show the secret drawers; this mechanism functions perfectly well.
 
The documents include a stamped addressed envelope dated 1881, an award of probate dated 1784, a letter concerning property affairs from 1726, a French engraving of the birth of Venus from the Gazette des Beaux Arts and four pages from The London Gazette dated 1795.
 
This is a really beautiful box solid, heavy and substantial, an elegant functional item which is decorative too and a rare example being so complete.
 
The box measures 40 x 25 x 18cm (15.75" x 9.84" x 7").