Antique Napoleon III Pocket Watch Holder Burl Wood with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
Antique Napoleon III Pocket Watch Holder Burl Wood with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
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A small French boudoir object from the Second Empire, this pocket watch holder was designed to hold a gentleman's watch on the bedside table after it came out of his waistcoat. The wedge form is classic for the type, with beveled glass panels on the front and top so the dial of the watch showed through while it rested inside. The burl veneer has that deep reddish glow that French cabinetmakers achieved with warm shellac over richly figured wood, and the mother-of-pearl stringing catches the light along every edge. The interior retains its original deep red silk velvet, worn soft with age. A handsome survival from a vanished daily ritual, and the kind of small luxurious thing that suits a dressing table or a nightstand beautifully.
Structurally sound throughout. The burl veneer shows honest wear and patina consistent with roughly 150 years of age, with the warm reddish finish still glowing but softened by use. The mother-of-pearl stringing appears largely intact along the edges and framing the glazed panels. The beveled glass on the front and top is clear and undamaged. The original red silk velvet interior shows expected wear and some loss of color from light exposure and use. The underside carries heavier wear with some loss to the finish, as is typical for a small object that spent decades on bedside tables and dressing tables. No pocket watch is included.
Shipping & Returns
All antique and vintage items are shipped from our warehouse in Bluffdale, Utah. Each piece is carefully packed by hand using archival materials and custom crating when necessary.
Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the size and weight of the item. Local pickup is available at the AMD Warehouse.
All sales of antique and vintage items are final due to their unique, one-of-a-kind nature. Illuminé candles and The Collector's Guide may be returned within 14 days of delivery if unopened and in original condition.
If your piece arrives damaged, please photograph the damage immediately (including packaging), contact us within 48 hours at austynmariedesign@gmail.com, and do not discard any packaging.
Important Info About Antique & Vintage
Every antique and vintage item we carry has lived a life before arriving in your home. These are not factory-made products. They are objects with history, character, and the marks of time.
Age-appropriate wear, patina, minor imperfections, and signs of previous use or repair are inherent to antique and vintage items and are not considered defects. These characteristics are part of what makes each piece unique and are often what give it its beauty and value.
We describe the condition of each piece as accurately as possible in the listing. If you have specific questions about a piece before purchasing, please reach out. We are always happy to provide additional photos or details.
Colors may appear slightly different on screen due to monitor settings and photography lighting. We do our best to represent each item accurately.
