possibly old french style chest of drawers

"that is the shell of an old clock, without a clockwork, now a display thingie... "

OK, I should have guessed that was a clock case. And inside....a portrait of a hand?

As far as original hardware goes, open one of the drawers and take a picture of the front of the drawer from behind. That should tell the story.

 

Assuming no extra hole in drawer face, remove a pull and look to see if any "witness mark" (impression in the wood of another pull).

 

Here are some images of French Directoire style commodes/chests https://www.liveauctioneers.com/search/?keyword=directoire chest&sort=-relevance&status=archive

Here are some English inlaid chests of drawers https://www.liveauctioneers.com/sea...drawers inlaid&sort=-relevance&status=archive

 

Brummy - native of Birmingham, England
Pom - British slang for French national

I've seen those clock cases or frames (or whatever it was) carved of slate.

 

btw. not a picture either but an old mannequin hand wearing my late aunt's ring.

will investigate the drawers further tomorrow...

 

Poms aren't French, it's what Aussies call Brits. French are known as frogs, if you're being impolite.

 

I'm fine with frog it would be another song being named "damned froggie"

 

True. Short for Pommie, said to be derived from POME: 'Prisoner of Mother England'.

That won't happen, you're our favourite froggie.

 

Et bien, nous sommes les rosbifs, n'est ce pas?

 

Yummm!

 

Brain went on vacation for that one. Dang Frog weather, i.e. rain, ate my brain.