. . . "Object Type
This box was almost certainly made in the court workshops of Henry VIII, who reigned from 1509 to 1547. It is lined with leather, which is painted with the heraldic badges of Henry and his first queen, Katherine of Aragon (1485-1536), and the royal coat of arms.

The exterior of the desk is covered with shagreen (possibly sharkskin) and fitted with metal-gilt angle-mounts, loop handles and ball feet, all added during the 18th century. The interior surfaces of the compartments are lined with red silk velvet, probably added during the 19th century. The writing surface and the large compartment have been relined very crudely with a crimson silk velvet, the appearance of which is considerably older than that of the red velvet.

Time
The box was probably made between 1520 and 1527. The decoration includes painted heads in the style of miniature painting, which became popular after 1520. Henry began divorce proceedings against Katherine in 1527.

Subjects Depicted
The decoration includes both late Gothic features and early Renaissance ornament. On either side of Henry's coat of arms are figures of Mars, the Roman god of war, in armour and Venus, the goddess of love and fertility, with her son Cupid. The compartment lids are painted with the head of Christ and figures of St George and the Dragon. The front has a male and a female head in profile. The falling flap bears profile heads of figures from Greek legend: Paris, prince of Troy, and Helen, the Spartan queen whom he abducted.

Ownership & Use
The history of the box is uncertain. Similar boxes were listed in inventories taken at Henry's death in 1547, but this box could have been a royal gift and might have passed out of royal ownership soon after it was made."@en .