λ  Duke of Wellington interest. An Anglo-Indian ivory writing slope

λ  Duke of Wellington interest. An Anglo-Indian ivory writing slope, lac decorated with scrolling leaves and flowers and with further bands of leaves, the hinged lid with a shield shape escutcheon with initials 'AW' possibly for Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), the sandalwood interior with a gilt tooled blue leather writing surface, fitted with inkwells and a pen compartment, with a base drawer and silver handles with navette shape backplates, Vizagapatam, c.1800-1810, 13cm high, 36cm wide, 26cm deep.

Provenance: The vendor of this box is a direct descendant of the Duke of Wellington's brother, Richard, Marquess Wellesley (1760-1842) and it is thought to have passed down to his illegitimate son, Richard Wellesley (1787-1831), who was an Anglo-Irish Member of Parliament, thence by descent. The Duke of Wellington arrived in Calcutta in 1797 and was involved in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore war. His brother, Richard (Lord Mornington), was appointed Governor-General of India between 1798 and 1805.