English / Japanese Mahogany Marquetry Writing Box Lacquer & Handpainted Interior

Description

Includes tag from Antique Shop in Brighton, England. Gorgeous English / Japanese styling Mahogany Marquetry Writing Box / Letter case features a variety of different geometric pattern marquetry accents among a gorgeous Veneered figured mahogany case. The interior of the slop-fronted two door box includes a gorgeous solid brass butterfly lock with its original key. The solid brass door hinges and butterfly lock have a gorgeous antique brass patina.
Opening the doors reveals a gorgeous black Lacquered array of compartments and cubbies, plus two compartments with lift out covers. The edges of the compartment dividers have a beautiful worn patina. Both door interiors had additional pockets to stow recent correspondence. Unfortunately the one on the right door was damaged and could not be found.
Discovered among the gorgeous collection of antiques of the estate of a family friend in a North Shore Chicago Suburb. One back corner could stand to be glued and clamped so the door latch stays closed. The tiny original key still operates the butterfly lock set but the pin doesn’t quite engage in the left door until that repair is made.
A petite writing box, for the top of a dressing table or desk in a classic British Home. The family history of this particular piece is lost to the mists of time. Key and a little tag with an inventory number from a shop in Brighton, England are in a little ziploc bag inside the case, with the key. Many other English / UK antiques peppered the friend’s estate, so odds are it was from someone in the “great great” tier of the family line who brought it back from a trip abroad. My guess is that it was made by a British woodworker to show off his marquetry skills on the exterior and follow up with a flourish of Japanese lacquer and gold floral artistry on the interior.
Petite to be sure…the case is just 9-3/4” high at the back, and 3-3/4” high at the front. It’s 10-1/2” wide by 6-3/4” deep. It was very hard to show the scale. Best thing is to pull a ruler or tape measure out of the kitchen junk drawer and try to visualize. It will look small in person. In a good way! I included a quarter to let George Washington try his best to tell the scale.
Packed carefully and ready to ship in a box measuring 12-3/4” x 10-1/2” x 8”, weighing 3# 0 oz. Message me with your address for an accurate shipping quote.
Thanks!
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