Rare Arts and Crafts A E Jones Ruskin Pottery and Copper Bridge Gaming Box.
 
A wonderful and rare Arts and Crafts hand hammered copper bridge gaming box by Albert Edward Jones inset with Ruskin pottery heart shape cabochon.
 
An ingenious and beautiful design with card symbols represented by clubs for the strap hinges, diamond for the cartouche to mount the cabochon, the heart shape of the Ruskin pottery cabochon itself and the spade symbol cut outs to each side of the box.
 
The lid hinge mechanism lifts upwards and the front forwards to allow easy access to the contents and comes complete with die and two decks of contract bridge playing cards by F W Woolworth and Universal Playing Card Co.  The meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship continue to the underside of the box which is strengthened and pinned with four carved oak blocks. 
 
This rare gaming box retains its original metallic patina where Jones adopted the process from the Jesson and Birkett company where he was previously employed and is highly likely to be a one-off commissioned piece.
 
Size: 23cm length x 13cm width x 6cm height.
 
Circa: 1910.
 
Condition: In superb original condition.