Rosewood doesn't turn up on writing slopes nearly as often as mahogany, and the difference shows the moment the lid catches the light — the grain runs deeper and darker, with a striking figure through the veneer that mahogany rarely manages. Brass campaign strapping, corner mounts, a cartouche, and a matching escutcheon frame the case, standard fittings for the type but especially sharp against rosewood's colour.
Inside, the writing surface is burgundy leather rather than the green more typical of the period, paired with stationery compartments and three drawers tucked beneath the writing surface itself, released by a mechanism built into the fittings rather than left in plain sight. The lock still turns, and the original key comes with it — not always the case with slopes this old, where keys tend to wander off long before the box does.
It's a smaller, more portable piece than some of its mahogany cousins, which makes it just as suited to an actual desk as to a shelf where the rosewood can simply be looked at.
Condition notes
Good antique condition overall with an attractive exterior and strong colour to the rosewood veneer. The original lock is present and supplied with a working key. There is age-related wear, marking and scratching to the exterior, with minor veneer losses and knocks to the edges and corners. The burgundy writing surface is incomplete, with approximately half of the original covering missing, and the remaining section shows wear, staining, fading and small losses. The fitted stationery section is incomplete, with several original covers missing, and the panel that originally concealed the secret drawer compartment is no longer present. Ink stains and marks are visible within the interior compartments and base. The three concealed drawers remain present and functional.
