Georgian Kingwood Writing Box By David Edwards With Secret Compartment

Hidden Secret Compartment

From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Georgian Kingwood Writing Box attributed to David Edwards. The Writing Box constructed from Mahogany in rectangular shape veneered in book matched quarter veneered Kingwood with brass edging and decorative brass stringing to the front and lid finished with ball inlay corners. The top of the box features a shaped brass initial plaque engraved with four initials and a matching shaped escutcheon. The Writing Box is finished with flush mounted twin loop campaign carry handles, one to each side. When opened the antique writing box reveals a deep blue replacement leather writing slope bordered with gold tooling and greek key embossing. The Writing slope is faced with decorative brass inlay strengthening bars and a Bramah lock plate signed to the top. Each half of the slope hinges up to access storage below via small loop tabs at the far end of each slope to the center. The rear of the box houses two Sheffield-plated travelling inkwells, a pen tray and two lidded storage compartments with turned bone handles. The Writing Box features a secret compartment hidden in the top half of the slope which is accessed by first accessing the hidden brass pin which lies in a section of the pen tray, once the pin has been removed from the pen tray it can then be pressed into a small hole beneath the right hand side ink well. Once the hidden catch is activated the front fascia springs forward and three dovetail jointed hidden drawers are revealed. The Writing slope dates to the 19th century during the Georgian Period and the reign of William IV Circa 1830. We undoubtedly attribute the Writing Box to London Firm Edwards from the construction materials and composition. A sure sign that the box was manufactured by David Edwards.

The Writing Box comes complete with a working lock and tasselled key.

Mahogany is the name given to many types of tropical hardwood and can be found in Africa, India and South America, most of which are a red-brown colour with a fine, even grain. This makes it easily workable and gives it a durable finish which attributes to its popularity with many kinds of furniture.

Kingwood also known as Violetwood, is found in South America and is violet-brown in colour with a darker grain. It is a very dense and hard wood that is only available for smaller items due to the small tree that yields it.

Bramah is London’s oldest security company. Established at 124 Piccadilly, London in 1784, and today based in Fitzrovia, London and Romford, Essex. Bramah manufactures Bramah and Rola locks for domestic and commercial applications in the U.K. and overseas. We are Marylebone and Fitzrovia’s foremost Locksmith and Burglar Alarm installer.

David Edwards was a renowned Cabinet maker from London holding a Royal Warrant specialising in Dressing Cases & Writing Slopes. Edwards established his cabinet making business in 1813 based at 84 St James’s Street, London. He remained at this address for only a year before moving to 21 King Street, Bloomsbury, London. As the Edwards company grew in both size and reputation Davids nephew Thomas Edwards joined the business in 1832 and took full control after David died in 1848. The firm earned the Royal Warrant from George IV, William IV and Queen Victoria which also included the Royal Family. The company’s mark changing accordingly under her Majesty’s reign.

The firm won a prize medal for excellence of workmanship at the Great Exhibition of 1851 when it was taken over by Thomas’s son, Thomas Jeyes Edwards. Thomas Jeyes Edwards continued to run the business until 1858 when it was bought out by Aspreys of London of which Thomas Jeyes took employment until his retirement in 1872. The company throughout its duration made exceptional quality boxes with substantial brass work often incorporating Bramah locks with the boxes. Edwards boxes are sought after today due to their renowned craftsmanship and the notoriety of the Royal Warrant.

Georgian, a period in British history dating from 1714-1837, the Georgian era after the Hanoverian kings George I, George II, George III and George IV.

Condition report:

Good