A Colonial brass mounted cedar writing box, crossbanded and with rosewood banding around the central brass presentation plaque 'Prize won by H.A. Ether Hon. Member Kiama VR Co. Presented by James Macks Esq.' fitted interior, mid 19th century, height 7.48 in., width 22.05 in., depth 10.24 in.
- Rosewood - A dense timber that varies in shade to very light brown to almost black. When rosewood is cut and sanded the colour of the timber will turn black, and after polishing and exposure to daylight, the surface will gradually lighten over time to light brown with black streaks.
The name comes from the odour emanating from the timber when it is planed, sanded or cut.
Rosewood was very popular for use in Victorian furniture in the second half of the 19th century, and at that time most of the rosewood was imported from Brazil. However it also grows in India and Indonesia.
It is used in the sold for chairs and table legs, but for carcase furniture such as side cabinets and bookcases, and for table tops it is always used as a veneer.
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