Do you have somewhere special you keep treasures or small items? Perhaps you’ve inherited something like this ornamental pair of horses with a carriage that appears to be made from mother of pearl shell. It once belonged to my great-grandaunt, Dora Hodge, and is quite fragile.

I’ve found a couple of similar items online which are described as ‘French Palais Royal’ and called a trinket or jewellery box, thimble holder, or sewing set. Some are more ornate or smaller, or they have just one horse, or a pair of goats instead of horses.

I haven’t learned much else about this object, and can only guess at how old it is – perhaps Victorian. Have you seen one before, or do you know more about it?