1800’s Antique English Military Style Lap Desk Writing Box

Here is a beautiful and rare lap desk from what looks to be 1851 – you can see a date written under the leather writing area. The box has a solid wood base with inset brass pieces, that was a staple of English military design. At the top of the piece there is a brass spot for engraving initials, however it was never engraved (so you could actually have your initials put in). The box opens all the way so that it sits flat, like a desk. There is a green leather section in the center and cubbies on the bottom. I believe some of the cubby lids are missing, but there are two present. The leather area also lifts from the front and from the back, revealing a storage section for papers, letters, etc. The underside is covered in a stunning textile, shown in the last photo.