Rectangular, with wonderful color typical of the fine coromandel veneer, the lid opens to a velvet lined recess (for a sugar bowl, now absent) and two removable tea caddies each with hinged lid. There is a fine Bramah-style lock (no key) signed S. Mordan & co., London.

Overall very fine quality and construction, the caddies smoothly slide out. There is some dryness and fine cracks to the veneer on the top and back, and it appears much more matte in color than the rest of the box (probably from sun fading), and there is some minor cracking at the back edge of the lid. Otherwise the condition is generally very good consistent with age. The velvet in the central recess and on the bottom of the box is original.

Sampson Mordan, is probably best known for patenting the mechanical pencil, as well as lock making, as Mordan apprenticed to the great Joseph Bramah. By the middle of the 19th century Mordan was a highly regarded manufacturer and retailer of luxury items, including numerous fitted boxes in expensive and exotic veneers, such as the present chest.

Height 6, Width 13 1/4, Depth 6 1/2 inches.