Such a beautiful old thing, earliest 1800s, authentic boulle, figural and opulent, heavy old wood with hand-cut brass inlays and a figural appliqué mount, as well. My guess is it was once a plinth for a matching elegant boulle clock. Photos show it from all angles, and shows it as my photo prop for just about anything - china, porcelains, figural sculpture, frames - you'll find a myriad of ways to enjoy this opulent old treasure. There are, on underside, 4 bolts, and I've left them in thinking they're perfect if someone wishes to raise it on, say, 4 ball or bun feet of ebonized wood. Or take them out, add a bracket on back and hang the piece as a wall shelf. Or, just remove those bolts and let it be. Full measurements are noted on our photos. The widest measurement is 14".
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, there are two small areas of lost brass inlay: one small one to the left upper curve, toward top of that side panel, and one directly center bottom of the front - the last just really looks like part of the overall design. Quite amazing to have survived so well - boulle is notorious for lifting and losing sections of the cut brass inlay. The brass boulle work is directly into beautiful old wood. A real work of art, this.
