An Austrian polished steel, Hungarian ash and ebonised writing box and nécessaire de voyage, Viennese, circa 1805

of rectangular form, the lid with a faceted polished steel bead central lozenge scroll reserve of a lyre and laurel branch within an elaborate scroll border, the sides with steel snake handles, the interior with a mirror above an arrangement of compartments with ivory and ebonized-wood sewing accoutrements and spools of thread, with two corner candleholders behind sprung steel arms holding firescreens with light-revealed views of Vienna and Laxenburg Park, the front with a button-released removable drawer forming a leather-lined hinged writing slope with compartments for inkwells and pastels

In fine original condition. The lid is slightly bent, but this is hardly noticeable; the steel mouldings would benefit from a polish according to taste. Interior fittings almost complete, with three small tools missing; the removable writing slope with a tooled leather surface, with marks and scratches to the fold. Rare survival of original translucent shades showing Vienna and Luxemburg.
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