A black and gold Canton lacquer traveller's writing desk decorated with terraces of people, palaces and pagodas against a background of vegetation framed by garlands of flowers. It opens at the top with two doors revealing drawers and pigeonholes as well as a darkened door with a mirror and a second door forming a watch-holder. The architectural pediment is decorated with rosettes and pinnacles. The lower part, resting on cambered claw feet, features a writing case with flaps, pigeon-holes and paper-ends opening into a drawer at the waist and a side drawer. Mobile side grips. With silver-plated gousset watch and carrying case. Canton, China Trade for the English market, second half of the 19th century. (Minor accidents and missing lacquer, wear to the gilding, particularly on the writing desk top). Height 157 cm; Width: 61 cm; Depth: 62 cm.