Oval box, the cover, sides and bases enamelled in translucent green on an engine-turned ground of wavy lines scattered with pellets and flowers, the rims applied and chased in vari-coloured gold with flower garlands and scrolls, the cover set with an enamel miniature of a lady and a gentleman playing chess enclosed in a diamond frame, in a claret colour velvet fitted case applied with a copper plaque engraved 'Donné par sa Majesté Napoléon III Empereur des Français, St Cloud Septembre 23rd 1855'

3¹⁄₂ in. (83 mm.) wide

Albert Marber (1900-1960) then by descent.

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Lot Essay

Chess was a popular pastime for both men and women from the Middle Ages through the 18th century. One of the most notable female players of the late 18th century was the Duchess of Bourbon Bathilde d'Orléans (1750-1822) who indulged in the game as much as her father Louis Philippe I (1773-1850). Thus Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) recounts in his correspondence that Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) played chess in Paris with the Duchess of Bourbon: "When Dr Franklin went to France, on his revolutionary mission...he was feasted and invited to all the court parties. at these he some times met the old Dutchess of Bourbon, who being a chess player of about his force, they very generally played together (in Thomas Jefferson's Anecdotes of Benjamin Franklin [ca. December 4, 1818], founders.archives.gov.).