Video: Royal writing desk

NOTE: There is no sound with this video

This writing box may have been made for Henry VIII or his wife, Katherine of Aragon

The box is highly decorated and intricate in design

The sheaf of arrows was the symbol of Katherine of Aragon

The fleur-de-lys was one of Henry’ s royal emblems

Henry and Katherine’ s initials form part of the decoration

This tray might have held vellum or paper

This is Henry’ s coat of arms

The Roman gods Mars and Venus were copied from a German print

Writing equipment would have been stored inside the box

The lid of this compartment is decorated with the head of Christ

It may have held valuable items like documents and money

These heads are of the classical heroine Helen of Troy and her lover Paris

Three drawers provided further storage

The centre drawer may have held a seal ring and sealing wax

Quills were placed in a long drawer at the back

The box is rare because few luxury objects have survived from the court of Henry VIII