Gorgeous 5" x 7.5" oval jewelry box, a Winter sparrow carved elegantly up top, its feathers ruffled for the warmth. Likely a Grand Tour souvenir, and from a very talented carver in the Swiss Black Forest regions. Raised to a height of 6" on carved cabriole legs which also add to the perimeter beyond the oval. Beautifully carved and very nicely cared for for the past 100+ years, the interior is still just wonderful - silk velvet, undisturbed. What a gem! Lots of photos to show you all views.
Very good to excellent for age and type, dates from 1890-1920. I have marked one chipped leaf tip, visible primarily from the back side. There are no other chips or cracks, no hairlines or damage. The slender beak is still fine, too. A working lock, but no key at listing time. This smaller size is so popular, we can never find enough of them. Don't miss this one. So fresh and pretty!