Very Rare Antique ‘Miniature Leather Desktop Safe’

This extremely rare, antique miniature, Moroccan leather desktop safe is in amazing condition for its age, considering its either early Victorian or possibly Georgian. Inside this safe, I found a miniature book, a rare ‘1799 London Almanac’, and I’m not sure if this dates this case to 1799 or was added later. (This Almanac I’ve listed separately for sale on my site). The safe contains three leather-bound, blue velvet lined drawers, each stamped ‘SILVER’, ‘GOLD’ & ‘NOTES’ in gold lettering. Each draw has amazing solid brass fittings, with recessed engraved handles and beautifully engraved brass backing plates. Then there’s two small leather-bound notebooks with small flaps, titled ‘ADRESSES & MEMORANDA’ and ‘CASH & ACCOUNT’ also in gold lettering. The inside of the door is lined with blue satin with two small pockets and a ‘bone’ handled working pencil in the middle. It has a long beautifully engraved brass hinge with small brass screws, and a maker’s stamp or monogram of entwined letters, possibly ‘D & S’ and ‘MAKERS LONDON’ on either side. The outside is bound in black Moroccan leather on wood with a solid brass engraved handle and fittings, and the door has a small round brass engraved handle and a locking mechanism nearby (no key).

Other than minor splits to the satin pockets, the interior is in immaculate condition, and the notebooks are unused. The outer case has a few knocks and scratches to the top and back, and what appears to be an early well executed repair or touch up to the top edge, otherwise its in good condition. The safe stands 17cm high (20cm with handle), a width of 15cm, a depth of 10,5cm and weighs 1070g.

Note: In forty years of trading, I’ve never come across a similar piece, and only found something similar on the internet which were more recent, and not as old or as well made as this one. They varied in price between R3000 and R25000.