Hobby box - Bone, Spelter
06
days
00
hours
42
minutes
10
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Anna Hue-Roques
Holds bachelor's degrees in Law and Art History with an Ecole du Louvre auctioneer diploma.
Estimate € 140 - € 210
No bids placed
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Rare mechanical pocket dice game from the late Jugendstil around 1896, made of bone and white metal, measuring about 2 x 6 x 6 cm, with a working mechanism and a signed interior back cover reading Gustav Kühla 1896, in fair condition with wear and possible missing small parts.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
For sale is an extraordinarily rare mechanical pocket dice game (also known as “Dice Pocket Watch” or “Gambler's Pocket Watch”) in authentic original condition from the late Art Nouveau period around 1896.
Besonderheiten & Historie:
• Provenance & Signature: An absolute highlight is on the inside of the fold-out back lid. There remains a contemporary, original ink signature: “… Gustav Kühla 189…”. This impressively documents the object's history.
• Sgraffito-engraving traces: The outer leg insert (bone) shows a beautiful floral relief with the monogram “B”. Next to it are fascinating, hand-etched notes by a former player. The year “96” (for 1896), sequences of numbers (“2,4”, a crossed-out “11”, an “8” with a rosette) and the letter “M” (probably for historical Mark amounts) can be seen. A unique document of historical gaming culture!
• Interior: The inside is lined with the original green felt base and contains three delicate miniature dice, stored around a central metal pin.
• Condition & Function: Attractive age-related condition with charming, untouched patina. The side mechanical lever (beside the crown) is present. The mechanism functions perfectly. The front protective glass is intact.
A museum-grade collectible for lovers of historic toys, curiosities, and gambling memorabilia.
For sale is an extraordinarily rare mechanical pocket dice game (also known as “Dice Pocket Watch” or “Gambler's Pocket Watch”) in authentic original condition from the late Art Nouveau period around 1896.
Besonderheiten & Historie:
• Provenance & Signature: An absolute highlight is on the inside of the fold-out back lid. There remains a contemporary, original ink signature: “… Gustav Kühla 189…”. This impressively documents the object's history.
• Sgraffito-engraving traces: The outer leg insert (bone) shows a beautiful floral relief with the monogram “B”. Next to it are fascinating, hand-etched notes by a former player. The year “96” (for 1896), sequences of numbers (“2,4”, a crossed-out “11”, an “8” with a rosette) and the letter “M” (probably for historical Mark amounts) can be seen. A unique document of historical gaming culture!
• Interior: The inside is lined with the original green felt base and contains three delicate miniature dice, stored around a central metal pin.
• Condition & Function: Attractive age-related condition with charming, untouched patina. The side mechanical lever (beside the crown) is present. The mechanism functions perfectly. The front protective glass is intact.
A museum-grade collectible for lovers of historic toys, curiosities, and gambling memorabilia.
Details
Era
1400-1900
Number of objects
1
Country of origin
Europe
Material
Bone, Spelter
Condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
Height
2 cm
Width
6 cm
Depth
6 cm
Estimated period
1850-1900
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