Fabulous & rare antique French 'leather bound books' liqueur or liquor box, cave a liqueur or tantalus with gold embossed crown & fleur-de-lis medallion on top and gold accented decanter & four shot sized cups or glasses inside! A sweet little desktop or side table book stack opens to reveal itself as a liqueur caddy. This is an antique set, all five books are antique leather bound with the leaves or pages individual and hollowed out to create the tantalus you see here. We've had a number of these over the years. Some visible wear to the leather edges of the volumes but it adds to the overall visual appeal in my opinion. The gilt embossed leather bindings have titles such as "Histoire Romaine", "Histoire Naturelle", "Mentor Des Enfans" & two others that I can't quite make out. Just in from France, a wonderful older one and guaranteed to please.
Good to very good condition for age and type. There are no flaws to the glass other than the inner tip of the decanter's stopper has been broken off (enough of it remains to create a seal though). The outer cave, caddy, is very appealing but does have some edge wear and surface marks, etc.. The old original leather hinge is intact and undamaged with no splits. Measurements are noted on the photos but it is 7.25" x 5" at base, and is just under 6" tall, closed. Love these on a side table.
