Magnificent & rare antique French Victorian or Napoleon III era 12" tantalus style cigar chest or box with elegant ebonized veneers, ornate inlaid lid & serpentine front and opulent veneer lined interior with five trays slotted to hold up to 65 cigars! One of three similar boxes that we now have available in the jet black ebonized veneers & ornate inlay, one of the others a marked Paul SORMANI piece. The Sormani name has a long and lauded history as as one of the finest of the fine where French ebanistes or cabinet & box makers are concerned, ranking right up there with Tahan, Vervelle & Diehl to name a few of the most well known. This piece bears no maker marking, normally found on the inside brass or bronze locking plate. If you take a look at our other that is marked by Sormani, you'll see they are so similar that one could just assume they're from the same or equally renowned maker. Gorgeous all!
Very good condition. There are two small spots of veneer chipping visible in the pictures, right and left front corners of the lid. The chest is raised on triangular shaped ebonized wood feet and I can't be certain if they are original. Otherwise, just as you see it with no missing or damaged 'cream' colored inlay that I can see and the interior is in pristine shape. Working lock & key, too! See pictures for all measurements.
