A Vizagapatam ivory-inlaid scribe's writing slope, India, 18th century

the rosewood body of rectangular form with hinged cover, compartments to interior, inlaid with ivory incised and heightened with lac, the lid with a central flowering plant, bordered by wide bands of scrolling stems issuing lotus blossoms, drop loop handles to sides and lock with foliate openwork escutcheon

A similar portable sloping desk is in the Clive Collection (see Archer 1987, p.82, no. 103)