ANTIQUE FRENCH 18C GAMES GAMBLING BOX CHIPS H Extraordinary ivory: hp & signed animals, botanicals, jesters

Exceptional gambling / games box & counters. Made of natural substances. Signed, hand-engraved and painted. Paris, France, 18th century. <P><P>
Measures a little over 3 1/4 inches long by 2 3/8inches wide.<P><P>
Rectangular box with hinged lid. Hinges believed to be original. Top and inside of lid and underneath bottom of lid are all handengraved and painted with an amazing assortment of human figures, animals, insects and beautiful botanicals: <br>
The top of the lid has a fruit and foliage-filled border. A pair of oval reserves on the sides each contain a figure of entertainment: one has a dancing minstrel beating time with his tambourine. The other has a Pierrot type figure. Possibly both were well-known theatrical figures. The top corners each contain an insect/butterfly while one corner shows a long-eared animal - possibly a rabbit of sorts, and the other a little prancing dog.<br>
The center of the top of the lid has an attached wheel that is moved by a brass knob. A hatch in the wheel displays the numbers, presumably for score-keeping. <P><P>
Underneath the base is beautifully decorated with a squirrel sitting amidst a floral and foliate display, insects hovering above. It is utterly charming as the long-nosed and long-eared critter smells the flowers. <br>
The inside bottom of the box has an attached scrolling metal reinforcement/decoration, very delicate and original to the box. <P><P>
The inside of the lid is beautifully painted with a botanical arrangement, depicted with great artistic ability and sensitivity. A panel at the bottom of this has a handwritten script that reads: <br>
Marixual le Jeune a Paris. Fecir. This was one of the best known makers of similar boxes in Paris of the time.<P><P>
WIthin, the box has a number of gambling chips. Some round, some rectangular, with canted corners and a pair of long rectangles. All are beautifully painted in the same hand as the rest of the decoration. Both sides are painted. The rectangles have numbers engraved in black in the center.<P><P>
While other boxes of this type can occasionally be found, this box has particularly beautiful decoration and is in very good, original condition.
Manufacturer: ANTIQUE FRENCH 18C GAMES GAMBLING BOX CHIPS HP FIGURES  

CARVED IVORY HEAD SYNTAX 18C ENGLISH FIGURE English carved ivory figure /head of famous caricature, Dr. Syntax, created by Thomas Rowlandson in the 18th century. The head is antique, and probably dates to the period (18th century), but the round base is a later addition and may be bone. Total height is slightly under 2 1/2 inches.
The well-known cartoonish face with pointed chin coming up to meet pointed nose, big puffy hair/wig wonderfully depicted eyes. Great detail to brows, hair and toothless mouth.
Very good condition. ********
Thomas ROWLANDSON was born in London, England in 1756. He was the son of an unsuccessful merchant. He nevertheless received a decent education and travelled extensively in Europe and the British Isles.
He was to become on the of most famous political lampoonists and caricaturists of his age - the era of King George III. There was little censorship at the time & some 'vicious' cartoons were drawn of political figures. Even Royalty did not escape.
Rowlandson turned his talent as a draughtsman, etcher and engraver of aquatints, to good advantage. Perhaps his most enduring works are the plates drawn for the very successful 'DR SYNTAX' series of books.
Manufacturer: CARVED IVORY HEAD SYNTAX 18C ENGLISH FIGURE  

JAPANESE IVORY OKIMONO HUNTER CAPTURING EAGLE Japanese ivory okimono, probably 19th century, possibly very early, depicting a hunter capturing an eagle.
7 1/2inches long.5inches high.
A hunter stands astride an eagle, it's outstretched wings forming the base of the group. Hooked beak open as though shouting in anger. The hunter, belt and jacket flying as he moves swiftly, holds a looped rope with which to tie up the bird, one hand holding it down below the neck. His face is steeped in concentration. The detail of this group is fantastic. Turn it upside down and it is equally beautiful - the wings, each feather of which is carved and etched, rest on a leafy branch.
Behind the man is his quiver with some arrows removed.
The ivory has a wonderful buttery patina, only to be found in very old pieces. The exceptional quality of the sculpting is also not to be found in anything made for well over 100 years.
A tiny rectangle is missing from the branch underneath. I believe this should have held the signature.
Manufacturer: JAPANESE IVORY OKIMONO HUNTER CAPTURING EAGLE  

EXCEPTIONAL 18C IVORY FIGURE WOMAN W MUFF Exceptional genuine elephant ivory figure of a woman, carved, I believe no later than the 18th century.
Measures 8 3/8inches excluding the base. 9 1/2inches high including the base.
Old ivory has incredible butterly patina - smootheness that only centuries can produce.
Upon first glance, the figurine looks fairly stylised, but closer inspection reveals amazing subtlety and delicately carved detail. She wears a finely carved long dress with delicate folds and scallops at the bottom, revealing the tips of her feet. Her hands are enclosed in a muff or cascading cloth. Her face is magnificent: wonderful detail to features. A subtle smile plays around her mouth, she has marvellous dimples, a very slight double chin, eyes closed in pleasure and an amazing complex hairstyle that only a rich noblewoman could have sported. Ears are long and spiralling.
Ebonised wooden base in the form of a double flower.
Excellent condition.No damage of any sort.
Manufacturer: EXCEPTIONAL 18C IVORY FIGURE WOMAN W MUFF  

19C FRENCH TOOLS : IVORY NEEDLE CASE & HOLDER Pair of 19th century French ivory holders - one for needles ( bodkin case) and one probably held a pencil.<P><P> Measurements: the needle case measures 3 1/4" long.<P><P>Both of these items were probably held in a ladie's bag as part of what she would carry around with her. Both easilly open and are in good condition despite their obvious age.<P><P>
Manufacturer: 19C FRENCH TOOLS : IVORY NEEDLE CASE & HOLDER