China Trade Camphor Wood Writing Slope

A camphor wood Chinese Export Writing Slope with a roll top and brass edging.

This design of portable desk was made throughout a large part of the 19th century for Westerners passing through the East. It is comparable to an English Georgian version that was typically made of mahogany. Pulling the drawer out opens the roll top. The jack in a box section with pigeon holes, two drawers and divided compartments above can then be lifted up with its sprung supports holding it in place.

To the front of the jack in the box is a further desk tidy area with dividers for inkwells, a pen tray and ebony ruler etc. The lower half of the writing slope, when unfolded, rests on the opened drawer. The blue writing area has an ebony veneered border which is echoed. There is a well underneath the top half of the slope to hold papers.

The desk has a typical China Trade brass campaign handle and subtle ebony stringing to the exterior of the slope and the drawer front. The oval engraving plate is unmarked. Although not the fine quality of an early 19th century example, this writing slope is well made and the design is popular. Mid to late 19th Century.

Closed size is given.