Group of four (4) English wood boxes. 1st item: Georgian flame mahogany knife box with serpentine front and conforming hinged lid, a silver escutcheon and conforming handle, inlaid edges, and interior lid having inlaid ebony star and string decoration. 2nd item: Smaller Georgian flame mahogany knife box with serpentine front having pilaster inlaid decoration and conforming top, with string inlay throughout, and a lock to front with key present. Interior lined with paper and lid lined with velvet. 3rd item: George III flame mahogany tea caddy with inlaid exterior edges and an oval escutcheon, hinged lid opening to reveal a fitted interior with a central compartment intended for a glass bowl no longer present, two hinged side compartments, and a red leather-lined interior lid, all with inlaid edges. 4th item: Rosewood writing desk with mother-of-pearl foliate inlay decoration to top, front, and escutcheon, and silver string inlay throughout, opens to reveal a velvet-lined writing surface with four compartments for inkwells, pens, and additional storage for parchment accessible under hinged writing area. Ranging in size from 4 3/4" H x 7 1/2" W to 15" H x 14" W. All items early-mid 19th century.

PROVENANCE: The collection of the late Fount and Ida Smothers, Thompson's Station, Tennessee.

CONDITION: 1st item: Lacking fitted interior, losses to bottom, natural wood shrinkage to body and veneer losses and repairs to rims and base, replaced hinges. 2nd item: Lacking fitted interior, some loss to veneer and inlay, some areas of wood separation and surface wear, replaced hinges. 3rd item: Some restored veneer and scattered surface wear. 4th item: Some losses to inlay, surface wear, and natural wood separation to exterior. Interior with loss to one corner of writing surface.