Description

A remarkable 17th century oak desk or writing box. The sloping top flanked by sliding recessed panels and long drawers. The interior elaborately fitted with and arrangement of small drawers and sliding compartments decorated with a punched border. The whole central section slides forward to reveal further cleverly concealed compartments and secret drawers. In all the box contains 22 secret drawers and concealed compartments. One of the drawers has a Latin inscription. The underside of the lid is pasted with four water colour paintings imitating prints and one etching of a latter date around 1790. The desk box itself dates to around 1650. Width: 74cm, Depth: 55cm, Height: 24cm.