Game Box Or Token Box – Napoleon III Era.

An elegant rectangular box from the Napoleon III period, veneered with a beautiful, carefully selected thuya burl, displaying a particularly rich and consistent grain pattern. The thuya burl is used on the top as well as the sides, providing harmonious decorative continuity. The box's canted corners are veneered with ebonized wood, creating a refined contrast with the warmth of the burl. The top of the lid is also highlighted by a band of ebonized wood, framing the central motif and structuring the composition. The lid is encircled at the top by a quarter-round brass band, both decorative and protective, characteristic of the meticulous craftsmanship of Second Empire pieces. In the center of the lid, the decoration is enhanced by a finely cut and engraved brass cartouche, polylobed in shape, framed by a band of rosewood veneer, itself bordered with ebonized wood fillets and adorned with four pendant fleurons, adding an elegant ornamental touch. The box retains its original lock and key, as well as its original hinges. The compartmentalized interior is made of rosewood and rosewood veneer, confirming the quality of the craftsmanship and identifying the object as a game box or token box, intended for parlor use. The box is in perfect condition. It has been French polished, highlighting the depth of the veneers. A beautiful decorative and collectible object, representative of the Second Empire's taste for precious woods, contrasting materials, and elegant objects for 19th-century bourgeois interiors. Dimensions: Width 31 cm, Depth 24 cm, Height 5.5 cm.