A small but quite heavy mahogany box edged in brass and decorated with brass and tortoiseshell in the style known as Boulle. It is French and dates to circa 1870.
The method of production was to create a sandwich of brass and shell and then to use a fretsaw to cut both pieces together so when separated they fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle. Somewhere there will be a box with the brass where the shell is on this one ie. a mirror image.
The brass is in excellent condition with no missing bits. The shell is a pale brown in some areas where the red colouring to the back of the shell has deteriorated ( see photos ) and there are some age related flaws in the shell but no fillers! Otherwise it is in excellent condition.
The lock and hinges are the originals. No key.
16.5 x 10 x 6 cm
approx. 6.5 x 4 x 2.25 inches
Stock no. D51