I have been showing some superb German Meisterstuch work recently, but to those who think they detect some bias, todays chess set is a beautifully carved set in the French manner. Late 18th or early 19th c and may have been made in Dieppe It is for sale at auction as we speak, at Christies Old Brompton Road London Estimated price $6.6K - $9K Of course it cannot be imported into the States as NY has banned the movement of all ivory items into or out of state. Of less value but still very pleasing to the eye are French bone sets as below, and objects from the prison hulks in England during the Napoleonic wars such as this lady spinning. During the Napoleonic wars (c1800-1815) French prisoners were housed at several sites in Britain, their conditions were poor at best and as no agreement could be reached between the British and French governments as to who should pay for their food and clothing the prisoners were allowed to sell bone items they made from the food they consumed in order to buy all the necessities of life.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 13:03:27 +0000
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