Stunning Antique Napoleon III Victorian French Burl Tea Caddy, Blue Opaline Gems, Brass Trims mother of pearl pocket knife The black painted sticks are

The black painted sticks are tipped with a small white opaline bead (one missing) and the criss-crossing of sticks forms the framework and handle for this wonderful pair

The tortoise & ivory in relatively thin veneer strips

not a listed artist but an adept one

there is one very fine crochet hook inside the tambour

so it has been very well cared for for a century to century and a half

Stunning Antique Napoleon III Victorian French Burl Tea Caddy, Blue Opaline Gems, Brass Trims mother of pearl pocket knife The black painted sticks areFirst of all, French are not into tea, so tea caddies are rather rare to begin with, mostly made by commission or for export to England or other tea friendly regions. So even to begin, what you see is a rare collection piece. That it is elegantly set with brass cutaway ornament and both steel cabochons and larger blue opaline cabochons is just thrilling against this burled wood. Not a single loss nor chip, either. Note that the interior is also close