As you might recognize, these are a pair of antique French Napoleon III era (c.1850-70s) fine burl wood and boulle work small boxes that would have once held a sewing tools set but now are suitable to be used for jewelry or pocket watch, or desk top collection display. The beauty of the boxes drew me in, sucker that I have always been for beautiful old French boxes and artisan work. One is oval and has the most gorgeous border of inlays of mother of pearl which separates boulle-work burled center and a contrasting dark wood outer on the lid. The serpentined rectangular one has brass strapping inlays, boulle work, and also darker wood. Each one is beautiful, and measurements are noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, perfect to repurpose as jewelry boxes, or to show off your micro mosaic collection, or brooches, pocket watches, etc., resting half open. The oval one might need a new bottom lining, but the rectangular one has a new black silk moire padded liner already. No warp, and pushbutton latches and hinges work perfectly. Very nice boxes, being offered together as a lot of 2, as shown.
