The portable writing box is constructed from wood, the exterior covered in black shagreen. The top of the domed lid is inlaid with a small silver plaque bearing a crest (a boar's head). The base and lid house interior compartments lined with pink silk. The box includes one brass-lidded ink bottle (there are two compartments for such bottles). The original metal ring handles, catches, hinges, locks and escutcheons are present. The case's locks and shagreen covering would have been of particular utility when travelling. Compartments in the base and lid would have been used for storing letters (both read and being written), as well as quill pens, blotting paper, writing paper and other implements.