Mary Russell brought household items to Australia from England in 1934. Her mother, Elizabeth Russell used the writing desk that was originally given to her mother, Agnes Marian Byrne when she went to boarding school. Agnes used it all her life. Desk damaged by a visiting child who forced the desk closed/open at one point. Estimated that Agnes went to school about 1830'sA square wooden box with brass inlay decoration on lid and front around lock. Hinged lid opens to be a writing surface of velvet. At lock end, groove for pens and small well for ink bottle. Key (not to be used) is in the ink well. Base lined with green hessian glued on. Lid and base angled to give sloping writing surface. A total of 12 items including the box.domestic items, writing equipment, handcrafts, woodwork