A superb find we're pleased to offer, even slightly imperfect. A large 11 1/2" wide cigar cabinet, chest, presentation box from the Palais Royal maker, FINOUX, as noted in engraved lock plate. An exquisitely fashioned and crafted chest, opulent burled wood with serpentine front and a boulle inlaid cartouche. The hinged front and top rise and fold back, superior hardware holds the lid in open display and reveals a drawer and 2 cigar shelves. There would have once been 4 cigar shelves, but time has taken a toll. Still, beautiful open or closed, and will house 2 dozen larger cigars on the sliding shelves, and more in the drawer below. Full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition, age and type considered, but slightly less than perfect. As you can see, there remain 2 of the original sliding cigar shelves, and like many of these, there has been a restoration to each. Sturdy and smooth-sliding on wood rails, they're underscored by a nicely finished drawer. Knobs on each are there, but abbreviated from original. Additionally, as we've pointed out on photos, the darkened wood trim on the back corner of one side has gone missing. That's a simple one to replace, and I'll ask Rick to do so, though at listing it is still in need of that small restoration, price in consideration. Larger than most chests, and of finest quality, this would have come from the FINOUX boutique, Palais Royal, as noted on the lock plate. In the 170 or so years since it was first sold there, a few woodworm holes have appeared, quite typical of very old woods out of France. Just enough to make it extra appealing - you know they paint those onto reproduction chests just for the effect. No pithiness, confined to a few tiny dots. The burled veneer is gorgeous! I find only one tiny loss of veneer, and it's at the tip edge of back, right, less than 1/4" total, not much issue with all the beauty surrounding it. Boulle cartouche has no lifts, is beautifully crafted and entirely intact, as well as monogrammed. Heirloom quality from c.1850-70, Napoleon III era, mid-Victorian era. The serpentine front is just stunning!
