Up for bid is an unusual vintage French hourglass egg timer is a folding wooden case.  The piece is 4 1/4 inches long when folded by 1 5/8 inches wide by 7/8 inch thick. It is made of a light hardwood.  It has a brass hinge and a brass catch.  It has hollows inside for a sand-filled glass egg timer, held across the middle with a metal strap.  It has time markings along the side of the timer, with two impressed asterisks and “DEPOSE” above near the hinge.

Condition on the piece is fairly good.  The catch doesn’t hold any more, and the hinge is a bit loose.  There is wear as well. Still a fun old kitchen item!