Mid 19th century, Paris, ebonized hardwood case, linear inlaid brass borders, slant front lid with centered inlaid brass foliate cartouche, monogrammed "LB," opens to an interior brass cachet marked "Maison Alph. Giroux Paris," above a French ultramarine velvet writing service with gilt perimeter border, the standish to top with centered covered pen tray with French nib fountain pen, flanked by two brass lidded inkwells. Includes key.

Private Collection, Greensboro, North Carolina

Alphonse Giroux et Cie was a Parisian manufacturer of luxury wares and furniture for aristocratic and bourgeois clientele from 1799-1885. The company is credited with the invention of the kaleidoscope in 1818, and was involved in the making of the first daguerreotypes in the late 1830s.

Some scattered scratches; small areas of wood loss to upper left lid edge; later upholstered writing service with wear.