Beautifully crafted c.1850-70s Napoleon III era desk box, jewelry box or possibly for wrapped cigars, this old beauty has a most appealing inlay boulle work in Louis XVI musical instruments grouping in mother of pearl and engraved brass. Not a bit of it missing, still tightly in place. The work at corners and the elaborate work at the escutcheon replays the large center cartouche. The lock appears to be working but at listing time we do not have a working key for this box. We'll check our stash and hopefully match one to it, but as I list it, it is without key. Full measurements are noted on the photos. A nice larger size for desk or table display.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Beautifully crafted, excellent boulle inlays, not a bit of it lifted or missing. The 'ebonized' (ebony finish on hardwood) box does show some age or shrinkage hairlines in the top lid's wood, likely displayed where sunlight might have hit it. Warming and/or drastic cooling can expand and shrink hardwoods and result in the light lines you see. The interior lining is a replacement, I feel certain, but it is in kin to what would have been the typical interior. The earlier lining would have been in this color, very Napoleon III - black and claret red. It would have been silk. The restoration lining has been very nicely done and is itself 'vintage'. Old paper-lined bottom shows age and is mostly intact (see photos).
