Doe and Hope

Description

Opening to reveal an ebonised interior, the writing slope in beautifully figured walnut, with amboyna and mother of pearl lozenge escutcheon and shield. The lid opens to two new inkbottles, a removable pen tray, and a ruby morocco leather-writing surface, tooled in gilt and blind, with a gilt border and fleur-de-lis motifs. Both sides of the leather surface open to compartments for storing stationery.

This box is beautifully crafted, is perhaps more feminine than most, with the half domed top and exotic inlay and it also has the advantage of an original working lock and key.

Perfect for penning letters to loved ones writing slopes such as these were an essential part of English nineteenth-century life. Constantly in use, and small enough to be portable (especially in this case), they were the principal instruments of communication before the advent of telephones and computers.

An elegant, fine, and particularly distinctive example, perfect for those who still appreciate the hand-written word.