the lid engraved on a mother of pearl panel with the initials 'M.C.' below a coronet, containing four stamps, with key, box 22.5cm; 8 7/8 in; the Duchesse's Games Box, of inlaid walnut, containing ivory dice, gold-mounted suit tablet, mother of pearl counters of various shapes, and a printed Austrian round game, box 30.5cm, 12 in; and a silver-mounted presentation mallet with oak shaft, dated 1824, 19cm, 7 1/2 in

The stamps, presumably used by the Duchesse to annotate received letters for her secretary, bear her initials in script and the designations: Service de S.A.R. Madame D^sse de Berri, Pour Secours Ordinaires M^r d'Orville and Renvoyée à M^r d'Orville à s'informer.

The games box has the label of Emerard fils, tabletier, Au Dé à Jouer, Rue des Arcis ... Breveté de S.A.R. Madame le Duchesse de Berry ... à Paris.

The mallet is inscribed: Offert en 1824 / par les Ingénieurs / du Pont de Rouen / et accepté par S.A.R.  M^e/  la Duchesse de Berri / au nom de Monseign. / le Duc de Bordeaux. // Bois tiré des / fondations du Pont / bâti à Rouen en 1150 / par l'Impératrice / MATHILDE / Aïeule de Richard / Coeur-de-Lion. It was offered to the duchess in July 1824 when she laid the foundation stone for the great bridge during a week she spent in Rouen en route to her first summer visit to Dieppe.

Vicomte de Reiset, Marie Caroline, duchesse de Berry, Paris, 1906, p. 310 (describing the mallet, its presentation and its later presence at Brunnsee)

First - hinge damaged, exterior would benefit from polish, one stamp lacking handle, one stamp lacking. Second- exterior suffering from damp, contents incomplete. Third -wood chipped around one side of silver panel and cracked.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."