This is an unusual piece, a small box shaped in the form of two stacking books.
Dating from the early 1800s it is constructed of wood and painted and decorated to look like closed volumes of books. The box has a hinged lid and inside are two mother of pearl fish gaming counters.
These boxes were popular little keepsake boxes for storing small items. On the lid are the words Le Tonnelet -meaning the little barrel or it could refer to a place.
The box measures 8.3cm w x 6cm d x 3.4cm h.