For sale is this beautiful antique hinge lidded box. I think it is a playing card or letter box (or similar). It has two compartments. It could also be a cigarette box but I think it dates from an earlier era. It is obviously very old and has some damage due to wear and usage. This is not really noticeable when looking at the object overall but on closer inspection there is some hairline cracking in the enamel around the hinges and on the base. Also two of the side edges have old damage on the corners that I've shown close up in the last photos (I only just noticed it because it looks like part of the design). I think the base material of the box is brass or tin and it is covered in enamel with ormolu decoration and then was beautifully hand painted. There is an interesting painted mark in the enamel on the base that was clearly put there during the making process. It looks like a double S or perhaps a curly cross.  So this is a beautiful old item with wear as described and visible in the photos. Please be aware if bidding it is not new and therefore not perfect but if you appreciate antiques you'll appreciate this.