A stunner! It's the pair of birds perched on one split branch with snake wrapped around it that drew me to this beautiful box at first (I suppose it could be a worm, but it has a split tongue, so I do think a snake)- carved of bone I believe and perhaps sailor made. But then every inch of this box holds further charms, revealing itself to be shaped like a book, and with painstaking inlay work along all of its edges, and a bone push-button closure on that still clicks closed and opens easily by pressing. There is a little minor loss, but it remains really in excellent condition, with hinges tightly attached and the variety of woods all still just beautiful. Late 19th/very early 20th century I believe and very finely done.
9 5/8" l x 6 7/8" w x 2 7/8" t. Very good condition, with flaws thoroughly documented. There is a split on the interior of the lid that shows inside the box, but it is double layered on the top so it does not show there.
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