It seems impossible for one of these to stay in our inventory more than a few days or weeks. I'm sure it will be no different for this Napoleon III era (c.1850-70s) beauty. It is large and elegant, 11" wide, nearly 8" front to back (closed) and 8" tall on 4 bun feet. The double-hinged hardware lifts the top and folds it back, but also braces it at a perfect aesthetic angle as only the finest of these do. The French are always aware of aesthetic! Working lock with original key allows you to ceremonially unlock and open the chest to display and offer up to 48 cigars from the 4 original fitted shelves within. A drawer at bottom for cigar cutters and such additional tools a true cigar aficionado would require. This one is imposing in black lacquer with bright polished brass stringing and boulle cartouche and that opulently fitted interior. Canted corners and serpentine front add design interest. Very formal! Full measurements noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout, age and type considered. It is not perfect, but close. I have highlighted in the photos the 2 restored trays, which do have a tendency to break over centuries there at the openwork cutaway. Each of 2 are marked both from bottom and from top in photos so you can see that the tight line is barely visible now, and they are sturdy. You might never notice, but one of the small wooden sliders on inner sides, upon which the trays glide, has been replaced. I left it without touch up on one photo so you'd know what I mean, but it's stained already and will never be noticed. There is a very slight warp to one tray, yet it slides on the gliders and fits fine. One back canted corner seems to have been repaired at some point, is missing a chipped spot. Again, showing it as it arrived so you'll know, but that will be nicely restored for our buyer - the chip filled and stained. This one has a walnut pencil edging, which must be a design marvel, really, and there are hairlines here or there showing a slight shrinkage of the walnut wood over time. All intact, but aged in that way. A truly magnificent large chest, this!
