A VIZAGAPATAM PEN-ENGRAVED IVORY VENEERED SANDALWOOD PORTABLE

WRITING DESK WITH SILVER MOUNTS

 

India, Coromandel coast, Visakhapatnam, circa 1875

 

The writing desk with a large drawer under a sloping lid, which opens out into a writing surface, revealing five small drawers and an arched interior, the large drawer enclosing several compartments and four lidded boxes, the exterior and facings of the entire box with ivory veneer, pen-engraved with foliate borders, with silver lock, hinges and mounts.

H. 24.2 x W. 44 x 25.4 cm

Note:
The desk is completely covered with ivory, engraved with foliate borders related to early 18th century Coromandel Coast chintzes for the Dutch Market. The form of the desk is copied after English table bureaux of the early 18th century. In the late 18th century the artisans of Visakhapatnam copied many other English forms such as, toilet glasses, knife cases, tea caddies, workboxes, folding games boards, glove boxes, etc., in engraved ivory veneered pieces.