Martin Lacquered Gaming Token Box

France, first half of the 19th century

Work in the Louis XV style

Elegant lacquered wooden box for game tokens, rectangular in shape with a slightly domed lid, entirely decorated in the style of the famous 18th-century Martin lacquers. The lid features a delicate bouquet of polychrome flowers hand-painted on a deep green background, while the sides are adorned with floral motifs in the same style.

The interior, retaining its original blue paint, is in remarkably complete condition. It still contains its four inner boxes with lids, each decorated with a hand-painted floral bouquet, as well as its 145 original bone counters, used for keeping score during card games such as quadrille, whist, Boston, or other parlor games that were particularly popular in the 19th century.

These counters, which come in various shapes, were used to keep track of bets and points according to a system specific to each game. Today, they constitute an essential part of the set, as these boxes have very often lost all or part of their contents over time.

With its four inner boxes and extensive set of scorecards, this set offers a valuable glimpse into the lifestyle of bourgeois and aristocratic salons in the first half of the 19th century.

Condition: generally in good condition. Wear, scuffs, and minor chips in the lacquer consistent with its age. Complete set with its four inner boxes and 145 game cards.

Dimensions:

• Width: 18.5 cm
• Depth: 14 cm
• Height: 6 cm