An exquisite and well-preserved early 1800s French jewelry chest, box, coffret, entirely hand crafted with 18 large panels of boulle worked brass onlaid over fine old walnut. Additional matching skirting of brass, and raised brass-covered walnut legs elevate it in aesthetic and appeal as well as in appreciation for the artisanâs immense skill. The octagonal or canted corner rectangular shape is a full 10 1/4" long, 6 1/2" front to back, and it stands 5 3/4" tall when closed.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The old silk moire lined interior is in remarkably good condition, too, with only a couple of small spots as imperfection - no rips, deterioration. It is fitted into the rise of the inner lid, as you can see. The exterior is just fabulous! Itâs had a cursory polish, but someone who wants it to be even more brilliant can certainly put a polish to it. The walnut shows through every hand-cut scrolling opening in the boulle work, and small knobbed pins or nails hold everything in place. I see one or two missing. The skirting is compete but for one side panel which is only about half complete (see images). The final flaw is on one of the brass-clad legs, where some of the old walnut is missing. It is stable, very slight wobble to legs, but stands well and is beautiful from all angles of view. An unusual find, directly in from Paris.
