Rare Cast Aluminium Art Deco Card Box

A genuinely rare example of a games box, we assume for bridge, although it is a two compartment four suit designed box for playing cards. Made from cast aluminium and very much in the art deco mode, the top and base are cast as solid shaped parts and fitted together with a pair of concealed hinges. The lid raises to open to just over the 90 degrees and is lined with wood. The lid is designed with four slopes each having a shaped recess that has been flooded with enamel showing the four playing card suits. The base has the cast sign REGISTERED, but no further marks to suggest manufacturer. Dates to the late 1930s, contemporary with the work of Burrage and Boyde (picqout ware).

Size: the flared feet are 7 3/8th inches across and 5 3/8th inches deep, the lid has a maximum dimension of 7 inches by 5 inches and overall, the height is 2 1/2 inches.

Condition: Excellent, the box is almost indestructible, it has a polished surface but not a bright polish. The hinges are perfect, and the inside lining is clean and in place as it should be. The enamel is all there, it is slightly rippled in its finish (whether it came from production like this or has developed the ripple over the years we can't say one way or another).