In sixty years of collecting and dealing in antique coquille carvings, this is the most elaborate piece I have seen, a whistle in celebration of the newly established liberal laws of King Louis-Philippe, who described himself as “King of the French,” rather than “King of France.” A plaque inscribed “Loi de 1831” is guarded over by a seated lion, symbolizing royal authority...

Classical grace is reflected in this pair of urns, turned to hold spills -- twisted paper "matches" for carrying fire from the hearth, etc., to light candles or a pipe. They are in lustrous lignum vitae, a very hard tropical wood, valued for its beauty and durability. British, approximately seven inches tall and four inches in diameter, they are hand-turned. (Note the variation in the lower details.)

It was confusing as to where to place this extraordinary item, which most likely furnished the central cut for a poster...

A graceful and well-balanced piece of nautical hand work, this fine dipper features a fluted and inscribed -- "GIVE" on the rim -- coconut cup and delicately turned wooden handle. Approximately 13 inches in length, the cup is about four inches tall by 3-1/4 inches wide. American, Nineteenth Century.

An elaborately fitted ditty box for small objects, this mahogany box is inlaid with patterns in light wood, perhaps boxwood. There is a velvet-lined interior with an enclosed compartment in the lid for necklaces and chains. Four separate boxes are concealed under the main tray. American or English, Nineteenth Century, the box measures approximately eight inches by five inches by five inches and is in excellent original condition.

Practical and decorative, this item would store the imposing pocket watch of a gentleman and become a very decorative ornament for the mantlepiece. Italian, late Seventeenth Century, of finely carved wood, it retains most of its original polychrome paint and gilding. Exclusive of the base added for stability and the branch of coral that graces its crest, the piece measures approximately 19-3/4 inches by 6-1/4 inches by 2-1/2 inches.

Perhaps originally mounted as a dressing table mirror or as an easel mirror, this carved and painted piece is approximately 16 inches and 17 inches wide. It is in excellent condition, with only a couple of chips.

In order to access the tobacco within, the snuff-taker must know the right moves unlock and disengage the cover. The box is carved in the shape of a long, elegant slipper, originally red and black, with a nice low heel and a relief carving of a stylized plant with flowers and “fruit” of two bizarre demons’ heads. In superb condition, it is of Continental manufacture, late Eighteenth or early Nineteenth and measures 5-1/4 inches long, 1-1/2 inches high and 1-5/8 inches wide.

In the form of a Turkish slipper with a Louis XV heel, this plump little wooden snuff box has a hidden trick opening device that makes it necessary to perform two actions before the contents are available. Of a fine fruitwood, with the “lock” of mahogany and a locking plate of engraved copper, it is a Continental creation of the early Nineteenth Century, in excellent condition and around 3-3/4 inches long by 1-3/4 inches high by 1-1/2 inches wide.

Profusely carved with stylized flowers and hearts, this superb wooden snuff box was created in Wales in the Eighteenth Century. In splendid condition, it measure abou four inches long, 1-1/2 inches high and 1-1/4 inches wide.

In unusually fine state of preservation, this handsome French country snuff box is formed of blond horn studded and bound with brass. Engraved with stylized designs of birds and flowers and highlighted with deep yellow stain and inlaid red enamel, this fine folk art piece dates from the mid-Nineteenth Century and measures approximately 4-1/8 inches by 2-3/4 inches and 7/8 of an inch deep. (For a charmingly time-worn example, see Trocadero item 418544.)

Two extraordinay beauties in Sienese Renaissance costumes are depicted in these highly detailed ivory chess figures. Both are about 4-1/4 inches in height, 1-3/4 wide and 7/8 of an inch deep. For stability they have been lightly attached to clear plastic plinthes. They are in excellent patinated condition. Italian, circa 1600.