A charming little scent caddy, or perhaps desk caddy with inkwells? I'm going with it being a scent caddy. Dates c.1850-70s, a Napoleon III or mid-Victorian era box which is double hinged to fold up and the hinged front remains in view, showing off the old boulle work, the original lock and key. Rather unique scent bottles, which made me wonder just a bit if it might have been a lady's desktop box with inkwells (note the stoppers, which would have been covered with thin layer of cork). There is a little hook, likely to hold the ring chain that would have been attached to the missing small scent or salts or perfume vial for which the fitting remains. There are 2 long slit fittings to front of each scent bottle. Unsure what they might have once held. Interesting set! Full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, neither of the scent bottles (or inkwells) have any damage, and are cased in very crisp castings or dore bronze - very French Empire revival! Beautiful boulle of colored reconstituted protein, casein, in blue and pink against the inlays of brass make this one a real beauty. Some surface evidence of age and use, but no real losses, no chips or cracks to note. A very pretty little collector's item.
