Hobby box - Card game box - Wood, Bone - Magic box, poker box

Antique Victorian music box with 4 card boxes and game counters – ca. 1870–1890

A special antique playing and card compendium from the late 19th century, probably English/Victorian, dating to around 1870–1890.

The rectangular wooden box is finished in a dark tone and fitted with brass fittings and decorative white inlays/knobs. Under the hinged lid lies a nicely organized interior with four separate removable card boxes. The knobs of these are adorned with the various card symbols and colors.

In the central compartment there is a substantial collection of original antique game counters in three different shapes, including round, square/rectangular, and elongated forms. The material appears to be bone, though not subjected to further testing. These different counters were used to track bets or scores in historical card and parlor games.

The four removable boxes were intended for playing cards. The original cards are no longer present. The box itself, the four card boxes, and the counters are offered together as pictured.

An attractive detail is the careful interior arrangement: each card box has its own place inside and can be removed separately. The original brass keyplate and the old hinges are also preserved.

Dimensions: approx. 27 × 16.5 × 6.5 cm.

Condition: authentic used state commensurate with considerable age. There are scratches, small damages, wear, and localized material/finish loss visible. The underside has been re-covered in the past; this lining is badly worn and partly missing. One of the decorative white elements at the top is missing. Key and playing cards are missing. See the extensive photos for the exact condition.

A decorative and collectible 19th-century playing compendium, of interest to collectors of historical games, playing cards, and Victorian-era objects.