It seems incredible to me that a paper and glass box could have been kept so beautifully for hundreds of years. Fine chocolates box.1820-40, French Restauration to Louis-Philippe era confectioner's (confiseur) box, elegant, card, paper, embossed foil trim, and a lattice of white paper over glass making up the sides, and curved dome of glass up top with a silk flower held within - what a lovely old thing, mirror still on the inside of lid. The etiquette, or confectioner's price stamp is still on bottom this old one. Chocolate or cocoa, as a substance and flavor was introduced to Europe in the 1500s, and by the 1700s, was raised to a fine art in France. So much so, in fact, that by mid-1700s, confectioners and chocolatiers were having special boxes made just for the presentation of their concoctions, bonbons, chocolate delicacies. The boxes, which always attract me, range from tiny round ones in card/glass and with recess of seed pearls, earlier 1700s, and got larger as time went on, fancier.  We've had some in finest tortoise shell, others with the maker's labels or engraved lock plate still in place - such as Boissier. We've sold some to the Boissier museum in Paris. The idea of these boxes was that it would be a lasting memento, reminder of the event of enjoyment of the chocolates and confections it held when initially sold. Whether as a jewelry box, or a desktop box, the memory of the gift and giver, as well as the expensive confections, it was a memory kept. Often a gift, such a presentation helps us understand how elevated was the experience of early candies, chocolates. Measurements noted on our photos. I've just bought several from an estate, so watch in weeks ahead for the others (sold separately).

Very good to excellent condition throughout on this one, really nothing I can point to as flaw, though signs of age here or there.  Made of paper, age shows in a little loss to the paper here or there. Amazingly, no breaks in any of the glass sides, dome top or interior mirror. A little of the applied embossed foil trim didn't quite last 200 to 190 years, and corners show age. Still, for age and type, this one is in exceptionally fine condition, and no breaks anywhere. The interior sloped sides are, as noted, glass. From the outside, it looks like just the paper. Light will shine through that paper, as I've tried to show in a photo.  Measurements noted on photos. 

Return Policy:
We always honor a 3-day return on our items, and guarantee them to be as described. Money back, less shipping costs, which are not refundable, so ask questions if necessary. We're easy to deal with.

Shipping and Handling Policy:

You are very important! Our fine inventory is very important. And your ranking of our performance is also very important! We wish to keep our 4.9 - 5 star ratings in all categories. Customer satisfaction is paramount with us, so if you're thinking we have not deserved your highest marks, please contact us and allow us to be sure your concerns are completely satisfied before you rank us. We aim for 5-star transactions every day, and depend upon you to tell us directly if we have not yet met that standard for your transaction. Thank you! We most often use USPS for our shipping needs but will be happy to ship by another carrier if you prefer.

We charge only actual postage & insurance, never a handling fee and never for packaging materials. Ebay is now requiring that our clients rank us on "shipping". The shipping price, speed and handling are actually under the sole control of the delivering postal agency, not Antiques & Uncommon Treasure so please remember that and leave us high DSR rankings. As always, please also feel free to contact us if you have any problems or concerns, we'll do what we can to ensure a happy and mutually enjoyable transaction.

Insurance has been eliminated as an option by ebay, forcing us sellers to either ship your items without insurance or assume that expense also. We always insure our items BUT, more importantly, pack them extremely well knowing that most are not replaceable. Again, damage in transit, while rare in our experience, is due to the postal agency handling and not caused by Antiques & Uncommon Treasure. Please remember that when leaving DSR ratings. Thanks!

Our shipping days are Tuesday and Friday, paid items will be shipped on the first shipping day after payment is received (except when special circumstances exist). We prefer to use USPS whenever possible, and require all packages to be insured. If you prefer another method of shipment, please mention it. We charge only actual expense of shipment/insurance, except in the case of larger items which must have special wood crates built. Wood crate charge, when applicable, is a flat $35.00 in addition to actual postage & insurance charges.

Other Information:
8.75% sales tax applicable as of April 1st, 2009 for shipments & sales within the state of California, no exceptions. If you are within CA and are a dealer buying for resale, you must provide us your active resale certificate # and acknowledgment of intent to resell or we will have to collect sales tax. No exceptions.

Auction Payment Methods:
Paypal: E-Check, Visa, Mastercard, etc.. Credit card payment by online service only, no direct processing.