Hand painted in the style best loved by Marie-Antoinette, "vernis martin", this late 19th century playing cards box has a real feel of that Louis XVI era, don't you agree? But it's much later, perhaps even as late and 1910, but I'd imagine more c.1890s. Layered paint and varnish gives a dimensional and rich surface on the items decorated in this manner. Would be very pretty displayed with French fans or portrait miniatures, or just brought out on bridge or whist night. There are no cards that attend it at listing.
Very good condition for age and type. You can see this one is not completely perfect, a bit of rub to the surface decoration on corners and edges, but no chips or cracks in the box, which is made of wood. Hinge is tight and the center wooden divider that separates 2 standard decks of cards is still in place. A very appealing box, indeed.
