Antique French Napoleon III Ebonized Cave a Liqueur, Boulle Inlay, Circa 1880
Antique French Napoleon III Ebonized Cave a Liqueur, Boulle Inlay, Circa 1880
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This is a cave a liqueur, the lockable box a well-set French table kept for serving sweet after-dinner cordials. Lift the hinged lid and the sides swing open, the little tiered racks step forward, and the whole fitted interior presents four decanters and a set of gilded cordial glasses ready to pour. The black case is inlaid with a red and gilt scrolling cartouche in the Boulle manner, and it still has its working lock, key, and silk tassel.
Honest antique condition with real, visible wear, and it still shows beautifully.
The case. The black finish is scuffed and rubbed throughout, most noticeably across the back and the right end panel, where the lacquer has worn through in places to show the reddish wood underneath. There are scattered scratches and small losses over the whole exterior. The top has surface wear and light losses to the gilt and inlay, and there is a small veneer loss at the raised crest along the back edge. The gilt line borders are worn in spots. None of this affects the structure. The case is solid and the lid and side panels open and close as they should.
The inlay. The red and gilt Boulle style cartouche on the lid and front is largely intact, with some lifting and small losses, particularly at the front left top corner. This is normal for cut brass inlay of this age and is disclosed so there are no surprises.
The feet. All four turned bun feet are present and solid. They show finish wear with bare wood exposed at the front faces, and there is a chip to the lacquer at one back lower corner. No feet are missing.
The lock. The lock works and the original key is present, tied with a silk tassel.
The glass. Four decanters with faceted stoppers are present. The gilded decoration on both the decanters and the cordial glasses is quite worn, which is typical of hand gilding that has seen use. The set includes [ CONFIRM number ] cordial glasses. [ If a glass is missing: the set is one glass short of a full complement. ] One of the little glass holders in the lower back right of the rack has an old repair.
Please review all photographs closely, as they form part of this description.
#23
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Every antique and vintage item we carry has lived a life before arriving in your home. These are not factory-made products. They are objects with history, character, and the marks of time.
Age-appropriate wear, patina, minor imperfections, and signs of previous use or repair are inherent to antique and vintage items and are not considered defects. These characteristics are part of what makes each piece unique and are often what give it its beauty and value.
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