A most magnificent large gaming chest, Napoleon III era, Paris (c.1850-70) when the great Masters of cabinetry seemed to have competed briskly to create the most stunning and beautiful table boxes. Names like TAHAN, Vervelle, Giroux, Sormani, and a handful of others elevating the art beyond measure. This is one such, though we do not find a signature on the lock plate, it seems certain to be an unsigned TAHAN, the quality is so high. The contrasting exotic hardwood veneers and opulent engraved brass, worked in a boulle-like thrill up top, but also stunning craftsmanship in the interior. Display it open or closed? Either way it's a museum piece! Working lock with original key, and complete with the 150 year old (or more) gaming chips (jetons) in ivory all original and we've added 2 decks of new cards to complete it. Full measurements noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, this one is unequaled. It is actually a double-depth box, and there is additional storage of about 1" below each of the lift-out gaming trays. I have not counted the various chips, but note that there are 5 different sizes/shapes to assign value when you play. I can see only one imperfection to detail, and I've shown it enlarged in our photos - along one side edge of the lid, you can see at angles a little natural hairlining in the old veneer, and one very small nick to it between the brass stringing and the outer brass pencil edging. You won't even notice it - that big box is just incredible in all ways.
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.
