Marquetery inlayed Gaming Box, estimated round 1850. Box still holds over 50 original play pieces in mother of pearl, and equally original cardgame. It is made of Rosewood, Walnut, Mahogany, with Ebony, Bronze and Mother of pearl inlay. With original lock and key. Dimensions: Length: 31cm - 12,4" Width: 23cm - 9,2" Height: 7cm - 4,5"
This gaming box was owned by a Belgian/French Dutchess in the 19th century. She left it as an inheritance, (or gift), together with another Marquetery box and some other items, to one of my family's ancestors, whom knew the Dutchess personally. Hence how we know about it's origin. This was around 1900. Later, it was then again left as inheritance to this ancestor/woman's daughter and so on.. So the box has been in our family since 1900, together with the second (presumed to be) 'Glove' box. This second, smaller Box, gifted to my family member at the same time, (and very similar looking), was made and signed by famous Parisian maker "TAHAN". But it has some surface damage on the top marquetery, by some cleaning liquid that has accidentaly been dropped on to it, so for that reason I did not include it. But the Gaming Box has luckily never been tampered with and shows only very minor signs of use considering it's age. But it's not signed by it's maker and carries only a small round label on the backside by the seller/shop from that time. (even the price tag is still there) So we would like to know what this Box is worth in today's Antique collector's market?
Thank you for submitting your item for appraisal. This appears to be a gaming chest or box, Boulle and Burl Wood decorated lid of the Napoleon III era (c.1850-70s) . The playing cards show the usual traces of use, the original mother of pearl gaming chips are in perfect condition. With the seller´s label BAZARE (?) de LEIPZIG - P.J.QUILLET Bruxelles. Such boxes in similar quality and condition have been sold at auction. The estimate is based on these results. Asking prices in the trade can be much higher and vary