The figures on back/bottom help us to date this hand carved bone 4" long table snuff box and the style in general help us with identification. It is carved bone, and typical of the French Revolutionary to Napoleonic War prisoner's carvings that survive. A museum piece, one would expect to see it in the Museum of Paris History, the Marais, Paris, where many such items are displayed. The box is an exceptional item of history, and now is over 200 years old.
Very good to excellent condition age and type considered. The box is entirely carved of bone and is definitely carved by a prisoner of war, or a soldier. A couple carved on bottom. Perhaps a wish of the carver for his sweetheart back at home. The lid has angels and canon balls stacked between them, and they hold a sign with a word I do not know, perhaps a name of a town or region during war? Hinge is good, some verdigris. The box has an old repaired chip near the hinge on box's bottom. A rare object, indeed. Shown in very enlarged photos so you can see condition and details, it sort of distorts the beauty of the folk art carving. Full measurements are noted on the photos.
