Antique Solid Wood and Chrome Plated Metal Switchboard Telephone. France, Circa 1900

Amazing solid-wood and chromed-metal telephone switchboard, with the original wiring and in excellent condition. This is quite an ancient piece, made in France circa 1900. The switchboard consists of a wide sloped wooden case with a series of metal intercom buttons. The case is made of walnut wood and remains in great condition it has been fully restored and now its bears a lovely French-polish finish that provides the surface with glow, strength and protection. The cases corners show delicate and solid dovetail joints that connect the different sides. They are made by hand, precisely and with a high attention to detail. As stated before, on the cover there are ten chromed-metal buttons or devices through which the operator would perform the requested connections. They are disposed in two horizontal rows with five buttons each. The bottom buttons are all made of silvery metal, while at the top row there is a white bakelite button and a topless button. Over each button we can see a small metal plate, designed to contain the engraved number of the corresponding telephone line. At the top of the switchboard we find the telephone handset, made of chromed-metal and hanging from a support of the same material. The silvery surface looks shiny and even, remaining in great condition. The inside wiring is original from the period and is also well preserved, with all its pieces and component parts. The cord that connects the handset with the wiring is the original one, in excellent condition too. Quite nostalgic and more than one hundred years old, this telephone switchboard is a beautiful and really decorative article. Measurements: Depth: 7.8 in / 20 cm. Height: 14.9 in / 38 cm.