Napoleon III Boulle Cave a Liqueur Tantalus

French Napoleon III boulle cave a liqueur or tantalus cordial set, the serpentine front case covered in filigree brass and tortoiseshell inlaid decoration. The hinged top and hinged sides open to a removable fitted compartment with gilt brass hardware and figural finial. Contains a twenty (20) piece set of gilt enameled cut crystal barware with foliate design, including four (4) decanters with square cut stoppers and sixteen (16) cordials. Monogrammed M.J. to lid. 10 1/8" H x 13 1/4" W x 10" D. Second half 19th century.

The Estate of Pia Stratton, Nashville, Tennessee.
Condition Report: Minor areas of lifting to boulle work to top; scattered minor age splits; scattered losses to areas of molding on upper level of interior compartment. Crystal set with minute scattered wear to gilt, numbering inscribed to base of each piece, and minute scattered fleabites, primarily to stoppers; one cordial with repaired break to stem.