If you've longed for one of these, but most of the ones we have had in inventory exceed your budget, this one is surely for you. A stunningly beautiful old rosewood box, brass pencil edging and stringing and that elaborate cartouche up top, and escutcheon that surrounds the original working key - so rare! One of my favorite old boxes, it shows a bit of age but also the most beautiful grain. The interior still fitted for a load of travel items no longer there. The ones that remain present well, though. They are all capped with silver plate. No chips. There is one inkwell, there are 2 vanity jars and 2 scent bottles, no chips on any of them. You'll probably want to fill in all those slots and compartments with your own vanity collection. Oh, and that one compartment lid? It lifts hinged to one side and is/was a foil lined place to store either cigars, tobacco or possibly tea. It hasn't a maker mark, but it is either French or English. The monogrammed name would suggest a Frenchman first commissioned it.
Good condition for this type of case, the wood is beautiful but has an age line across the top, and a gouge-ding above the cartouche. No missing stringing or loss to the thick rich brass pencil edging, cartouche or escutcheon. The working lock has its key. Interior misses a lot of the old travel items, as you can see, and also the mirror which would have rested inside the lid. A project case. But also a price to tempt you. I had actually forgotten I had this one, and found 4 others along with it when I was searching out something else. Benign neglect, but just look at that wood. I do think it might be rosewood, but I am not an expert in wood.
