A REGENCY BRASS-BOUND MAHOGANY WRITING-BOX

BY E. GAIMES

Details

A REGENCY BRASS-BOUND MAHOGANY WRITING-BOX
By E. Gaimes
The rectangular hinged box enclosing a navy blue velvet-lined writing-slope, the upper tier with two silver inkpots engraved with the crest of a lamb, the later scooped pentray enclosing two lidded wells and two white metal candleholders, and two further glass inkpots, the upper slope enclosing a fitted interior with divisions, with writing implements inserted in one compartment with bone navigational rulers and dividers, the slide engraved 'R. Bancles 440 Strand', and a pair of weighing scales in another, the lower slope enclosing a fitted interior of bone-inlaid lettered and mahogany-lined drawers around a drawer fitted with a pocket watch, by James Snelling, and with engraved brass label 'Gaines 54 St Paul's Church Yard & 56 Cornhill LONDON Fecit et Cumulo', the lock engraved 'Gaines 54 S^t Paul's Church y^d & 56 Cornhill', the two white metal glass bottle covers associated
8¾ in. (22 cm.) high; 21 in. (53 cm.) wide; 11¼ in. (28.5 cm.) deep
The silver candleholders by Richard Lockwood, London, 1799.

Lot Essay

E. Gaimes was a cabinet-maker and portable desk manufacturer, recorded in 12 Edward Street from 1808 and by 1814 had moved to 54 St Paul's Churchyard. A portable writing desk bearing labels with addresses at 56 Cornhill and 23 Surrey Street was illustrated in Country Life, 9 December 1965 (C. Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840, Leeds, 1996, fig. 370 & p. 29).

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