Enigma of a puzzle

We saw this jig-saw box at the 'Junk to Jewels' special exhibition at the Peranakan Museum, which features personal memorabilia from Babas and Nonyas who managed to keep their heirlooms intact. It seems this particular game was never concluded and the owners never knew what the result would have looked like if all the pieces were to fall into place. And instead of the regular cuboid shapes with predictable notches and tabs that mark modern day puzzles, this antique consists of odds and ends that don't really give a clue to where they might fit. Perhaps it's better that way, for the resolution of this Edwardian enigma might well herald the colours of kingdom come...