19th c Rosewood Writing Slope or Lap Desk

A 19th century primitive, orange and black painted grain bin with divided compartments. A great conversation and statement piece that could even be used as a woodbox for kindling, to...

This English mahogany table or bracket clock with bail handle is circa 1765, with a composite brass dial with recessed 4 ½” maker's boss marked Edward Foster, London.. It has a Roman numeral chapter ring with calendar ring...

A nicely carved English mahogany tea caddy in the Chippendale style with dome top and scroll carved corners, silver plate scrollwork escutcheon & handle, the custom interior lined with velour for silver plated tea boxes with acorn & oak leaf knops flanking a central mahogany foil lined tea box with an acanthus knop. The handled top has a monogrammed plate “M...

A fine example of a diminutive burled walnut vargueno, collector or valuables cabinet, with molded cornice and drop front, opening to a multi-drawer ...

An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in beautifully grained burl, with polished brass inlaid, of French origin. Opening to...

Exquisite English craftsmanship from the early 19th century a mahogany writing slope befit with A black velvet interior & A pair of glass inkwells by J J Mechi of No 4, Leadenhall St...

Painted Writing Slope with green interior paint and drawers for storage.

Exquisite craftsmanship from the early 19th century a Mahogany writing slope befit with A black velvet interior & A pair of glass inkwells by J J Mechi of No 4, Leadenhall Street, City of London, circa 1830s Would make an ideal gift for the writing enthusiast or London historian. Item has lever action hidden compartment. Has an oval front brass plaque ideal for engraving a message if the item is a gift. Comes with the original heavy metal topped inkwells and notepad, modern quill and stand.Other items are shown for illustrative purposes. Alderman John Joseph Mechi (1802–1880) was a silversmith, banker, inventor and Alderman of the City of London. He experimented with new farming methods on his estate at Tiptree in Essex. Mechi was born in London 22 May 1802, the third son of Giacomo Mechi, a citizen of Bologna, who had settled in England early in life, was naturalised, and obtained a post at Kensington Palace in the household of George III. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of J. Beyer of Poland Street, London. John at the age of sixteen was placed as a clerk in a house in Walbrook, trading with Newfoundland, a job he had for ten years. In 1828 he set up on his own account as a cutler in a small workshop at 130 Leadenhall Street, from where he removed to No. 4 in the same street in 1830. Between 1830 and 1840 he made his fortune through the 'magic razor strop' which bears his name After the Crimean war and a fashion for beards, sales declined. On 10 November 1840 he took out a patent for 'improvements in apparatus to be applied to lamps in order to carry off heat and the products of consumption'. This was for the external shop-window lamps...