Unusual Artifacts: The Duke of Urbino's Writing Desk, 1600

The Duke of Urbino's Writing Desk
Italy, 1600
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This walnut writing desk, dating to about 1600, bears the coat of arms of Francesco Maria II, Duke of Urbino (reigned 1574 - 1626) whose palace in Pesaro, Italy, on the Adriatic Coast contained various of workshops for artists and craftsmen ranging from watchmakers and silversmiths to painters and illuminators.

An impressive piece, it is decorated with an elaborate inlay of engraved bone which hints at the designs of German weaponry of 1590, but was most certainly made in the ducal workshops at Pesaro by one of the many German woodworkers whom the Duke had taken in.

The inside of the writing desk’s lid is decorated with two cartouches: one with the Duke's arms and the other left blank--presumably so that the Duke could gift it to another ducal family who could add their own arms. Writing boxes also served reading stands. In the early Seventeenth Century, the bible was one of the most-owned books, hence the overuse of religious motifs both inside and out alongside the grotesques which were so fashionable during that era.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: King Henry VIII’s Writing Box, 1525

Writing Box
English, 1525
Made for Henry VIII
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This impressive writing box was almost certainly created in the court workshops of Henry VIII (reign: 1509 to 1547). Lined with leather it is painted with the heraldic badges of Henry VIII and his first queen, Katherine of Aragon (1485-1536), as well as the royal coat of arms. Curators of the V&A believe that the box was made between 1520 and 1527. The interior adornment includes painted portrait miniatures in the popular style of the 1520’s. Soon after this box was made, Henry began divorce proceedings against Katherine (1527), so it’s good present condition owes much to the fact that he’d be loathe to use a writing box which featured a portrait of his soon-to-be ex-wife.

The exterior of the desk is quite plain when compared to its elaborate red silk velvet and painted interior. It is covered with shagreen (leather, possibly sharkskin), mounted with metal-gilt angle-mounts, loop handles and ball feet. These were added later in the Eighteenth Century. The present red silk velvet lining is most likely a Nineteenth Century replacement for the original lining. Traces of the original crimson silk velvet appear on the bottoms of the largest compartments.

The Home Beautiful: The Empress of India Gold Writing Desk, 1887

Writing Case
Presented to Queen Victoria, Empress of India
on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, 1887
The Royal Collection
Crown Copyright
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
On loan to the Victoria & Albert Museum since 1926

Gifts and declarations of loyalty, made by Queen Victoria’s subjects, were not unusual.  She was, after all, Queen as well as Empress of India.  But during her jubilee years—1887 (Golden) and 1897 (Diamond), the gifts were more than plentiful.

Gifts to the Queen from India often took the form of caskets constructed of precious materials. These items were usually only ornamental.  This one, however, is actually useful.  And, she did, in fact, use it as a writing box.

The lap desk of solid ivory contains a hand-written address relating the donor's intention to build a bridge over the river Kali Nandi at Sidpur.  It also includes an explanatory key useful in deciphering the 39 miniatures which  dorn  the casket.  The box was presented by the Rais, or nobleman, of Chhatari, a town formerly in the Bulandshahr District of the United Provinces.

The ivory miniatures mounted on the box are framed with silver.  The case also has silver corner pieces and mounts. The miniatures all depict famous Mughal monuments, scenes from Delhi, India-- such as the Clock Tower in Chandni Chowk--or monuments of the Muslim world outside the Mughal empire.

This magnificent piece has been on loan to the V&A from the Royal Collection since 1926 when it was removed from the Queen’s summer residence of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.  

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: The Duke of Urbino's Writing Desk, 1600

The Duke of Urbino's Writing Desk
Italy, 1600
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This walnut writing desk, dating to about 1600, bears the coat of arms of Francesco Maria II, Duke of Urbino (reigned 1574 - 1626) whose palace in Pesaro, Italy, on the Adriatic Coast contained various of workshops for artists and craftsmen ranging from watchmakers and silversmiths to painters and illuminators.

An impressive piece, it is decorated with an elaborate inlay of engraved bone which hints at the designs of German weaponry of 1590, but was most certainly made in the ducal workshops at Pesaro by one of the many German woodworkers whom the Duke had taken in.

The inside of  the writing desk’s lid is decorated with two cartouches:  one with the Duke's arms and the other left blank--presumably so that the Duke could gift it to another ducal family who could add their own arms. Writing boxes also served reading stands.  In the early Seventeenth Century, the bible was one of the most-owned books, hence the overuse of religious motifs both inside and out alongside the grotesques which were so fashionable during that era.

Gifts of Grandeur: The Empress of India Gold Writing Desk, 1887

Writing Case
Presented to Queen Victoria, Empress of India
on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, 1887
The Royal Collection
Crown Copyright
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
On loan to the Victoria & Albert Museum since 1926

Gifts and declarations of loyalty, made by Queen Victoria’s subjects, were not unusual.  She was, after all, Queen as well as Empress of India.  But during her jubilee years—1887 (Golden) and 1897 (Diamond), the gifts were more than plentiful.

Gifts to the Queen from India often took the form of caskets constructed of precious materials. These items were usually only ornamental.  This one, however, is actually useful.  And, she did, in fact, use it as a writing box.

The lap desk of solid ivory contains a hand-written address relating the donor's intention to build a bridge over the river Kali Nandi at Sidpur.  It also includes an explanatory key useful in deciphering the 39 miniatures which  dorn  the casket.  The box was presented by the Rais, or nobleman, of Chhatari, a town formerly in the Bulandshahr District of the United Provinces.

The ivory miniatures mounted on the box are framed with silver.  The case also has silver corner pieces and mounts. The miniatures all depict famous Mughal monuments, scenes from Delhi, India-- such as the Clock Tower in Chandni Chowk--or monuments of the Muslim world outside the Mughal empire.

This magnificent piece has been on loan to the V&A from the Royal Collection since 1926 when it was removed from the Queen’s summer residence of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.  

Her Majesty’s Furniture: King Henry VIII’s Writing Box, 1525

Writing Box
English, 1525
Made for Henry VIII
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This impressive writing box was almost certainly created in the court workshops of Henry VIII (reign: 1509 to 1547). Lined with leather it is painted with the heraldic badges of Henry VIII and his first queen, Katherine of Aragon (1485-1536), as well as the royal coat of arms. Curators of the V&A believe that the box was made between 1520 and 1527. The interior adornment includes painted portrait miniatures in the popular style of the 1520’s. Soon after this box was made, Henry began divorce proceedings against Katherine (1527), so it’s good present condition owes much to the fact that he’d be loathe to use a writing box which featured a portrait of his soon-to-be ex-wife.
The exterior of the desk is quite plain when compared to its elaborate red silk velvet and painted interior. It is covered with shagreen (leather, possibly sharkskin), mounted with metal-gilt angle-mounts, loop handles and ball feet. These were added later in the Eighteenth Century. The present red silk velvet lining is most likely a Nineteenth Century replacement for the original lining. Traces of the original crimson silk velvet appear on the bottoms of the largest compartments.

Object of the Day: Antique Papier Mache Writing Slope

This was the laptop of its day. Most likely, if you’re reading this blog, you remember the days before email and text messages. I think today’s teens can’t fathom the idea of having to sit down and write a letter. Most of the them can’t even read cursive--from what I understand. Letter writing is a lost art, and one that people took very seriously.

Writing slopes such as this one were an important part of life. Easily portable, the writing slope opened to reveal a surface on which you could write a letter. Below that surface is a compartment in which you can store paper, envelopes and other correspondence. A series of compartments above the sloped writing surface housed the pen, nibs and ink wells. The writing slope could be taken on a journey or used in the home.

This particular writing slope which dates to about 1850 is constructed from papier mache and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The top, sides and inside are further decorated with hand-painted geometric designs and flowers in bold colors and gold. To me, this writing slope seems almost like an altar to the art of communication. I often wonder about the words and emotions it once housed. What a pity it can’t tell its story.