They may not be as breathtakingly intricate as antique writing boxes, but vintage file boxes are still pretty cool. My boyfriend brought this one home a few days ago from his office; it was given to him by a former colleague, and there’s a yellowing card that says “FILING” that’s still taped to its side. Kind of makes you want a typewriter, eh?
I photographed it outside since the light is better, but we’re going to keep it in our living room and use it to store mail.
Anyone else see Brian Goulet’s recent post about antique writing boxes? Also known as “lap desks,” these boxes were used in the 18th and 19th centuries to house writing supplies (actually, as Brian explained to me in an email, lap desks seem to have been smaller and thinner, as opposed to writing boxes, which were too large to use on your lap). They were also beautiful, with ornate detailing and odd fold-out compartments and drawers in which to stash pens, ink, and paper. Karen has her great-grandmother’s lap desk, which is inlaid with mother-of-pearl. A big step up from those laminate boards with the bean bags that I picture when I see the words “lap desk!”
Brian is thinking about using his woodworking skills to create some contemporary lap desks, which would, of course, be awesome. “They all fit right into that period when writing was not only practical, but a highly valued artistic skill,” as he pointed out to me in an email.
Image via Svadilfari.
