Lot 231
231
**A CONTINENTAL ROSEWOOD, STAINED WOOD, IVORY, MOTHER-OF-PEARL, COPPER, BRASS AND MARQUETRY GAMES BOX

DATED 1855

Details
**A CONTINENTAL ROSEWOOD, STAINED WOOD, IVORY, MOTHER-OF-PEARL, COPPER, BRASS AND MARQUETRY GAMES BOX
dated 1855
The rectangular shaped lid inlaid with foliate scrolled cartouches enclosing instruments of arts and sciences, centered by a sun engraved with initials M.S.P./V.D.E. and flanked by a female sphynx and a lion, centering a ribbon with motto A.S. ALTEZZA M.S. VICE RE D'EGITTO ANNO 1855, opening to a foliate scroll-inlaid gameboard, the reverse with a black leather writing surface
5½in. (14cm.) high, 26in. (66cm.) wide, 18in. (45.5cm.) deep

Lot Essay

This finely inlaid marquetry games box was almost certainly given as a diplomatic gift to Sait Pasa, 4th Viceroy of Egypt, who ruled during the period when Egypt was a semi-autonomous state of the Ottoman Empire.