An antique parquetry box with a lined marbled interior, double parquetry banding and a parquetry cartoucheThe box includes a key, it fits but does not operate the lock. A beautiful and rare example. Some superficial marks as might be expected of an item of this age but generally a lovely artisan item that could serve as a decorative piece or as storage for jewellery, documents or other personal items.
 
Parquetry is the art of creating hand made geometric patterns with wood shapes, a highly skilled process and dating back to the 1600's, this box is from the 19th century, from around 1870.
 
The box measures 27.5 x 20 x 13cm  (10.82" x 7.87" x 5.12").