Restoring a Georgian-era Writing Slope

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by TWG, Feb 20, 2026 at 11:13 AM.

  1. TWG

    TWG Member

    To the more-experienced writing slope restorers out there:

    By pure chance I've acquired what I believe is a high-quality rosewood slope with brass trimmings. Per the markings on the lock - J.Bramah with crown (no word Patent, no address) - that narrows down the date to around 1798-1800 per this site: https://forum.antique-locks.com/showthread.php/70-Bramah-locks-a-guide-to-dating. The tiny hand-cut dovetail joints on the pull-out drawer would seem to indicate this era as well.

    The brass filigree on the outside is filled with intricate florets of what I think is ebony wood. There is also a thin ebony inlay within the frame of the writing surface. The bookrest that fits to the outside is the nicest I've seen, inlaid with brass and having brass page stops. The weight seems quite heavy for the dimensions (18 lbs with dimensions 42x25x16.5 cm), which leads me to think the slope could be solid rosewood (and a peek inside the drawer slot shows all red wood within). All these attributes have me believing this is a quite special slope.

    For the restoration issues, I have 3 points:

    1. The skiver looks to be original and intact; while not split at the fold like many slopes, it is VERY thin there. What are the best natural leather conditioners recommended to restore the skiver and keep it pliable?

    2. There is a missing section of brass at one topside corner (see photo). The ebony florets are still there. Could a skilled metalsmith be able to cast a replacement?

    3. Here's the hard one - there is a front brasss strip missing entirely, ebony florets and all (see photo). To get close to replacing this, could a 3D printer for brass be able to copy the matching strip on the left side as a replacement? Not possible to replicate the ebony that way, but perhaps a black lacquer could be substituted? Any other ideas?

    There is also a missing brass strip inlay on the top left side, but that's a fairly easy fix.

    (I'm just starting on the brass polishing, thus some 2-tone images!)

    Thanks so much for any advice!

    @Shangas @komokwa @808 raver @Marote
    Closed.JPG Open.JPG Bookrest.JPG Drawer jointJPG.JPG Missing brass piece.JPG Missing strip.JPG
     
    Marote and Any Jewelry like this.
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Beautiful. And a Bramah lock, top quality.
    I'm sure you'll get some good advice from the people you tagged. Good luck!
     
    Marote and TWG like this.
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