A beautiful anatomical carving of a bird, looks a bit like a cardinal in the head, beak, wings unfurled and about to attack the snail crawling along to box top, too. The box is in the form of a gloves box of the 1800s, long and slender form. Swiss carvers' masterpiece, and likely a Grand Tour souvenir. Lined in blue silk velvet and silk fabric, still quite nice and very beautiful! The working lock does have its original key, as well. The wings of the bird raise the height of this one to 7". All measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good condition for age and type. These old ones rarely survive without some damage, and that is the case with this one. Both wings have old repaired breaks I've tried to point out for you with 'x'. Shown from all angles of view so you can see clearly, and yet the beak and head, legs and the rest of the box is quite free of flaws. One flower on top seems to have a break and repair, too. Displays very well, however, and those imperfections are almost unseen in actual display. Interesting form in general, and an early one - I'd say not later than c.1880, and probably earlier than that.
