The rippled edge framing in the top of this gaming chest is a transitional motif between France's Charles X and Napoleon III eras, and helps us date it c. 1840-1870s. Beautifully crafted chest, cabinet, is complete and very well preserved outside and in, loaded with old gaming or gambling chips, 54 antique cards and a set of 5 dice. Even the working lock still has its key, though it appears perhaps a very small escutcheon there might have gone missing - hardly noticeable, really, but we'll note it. Full measurements noted on our photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout on this fine set. The box is in remarkably fine and beautiful condition, brass stringing and ripple-carved rim fully intact, and an elaborate cut and engraved large cartouche up top, well set even after a century and a half. Seems hardly used, and is as beautiful left open as it is closed. Hinges are excellent, and there is no warp to the wood. Interior trays for 4 players, and the round lift-out ante cup are all intact and full - ready to display or use. I will simply mention a very lightening to the ebonite wood at angles of light on the top of the box. It has not been touched up but certainly could easily be to return it to the rich black black. While this set was noted as bone back when we bought it, I have not had it tested so shipping rules apply (below) A real beauty!
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.
