A lush crimson silk satin interior makes you want to display it open, but the superb inlays of mother of pearl overpainting and detail of form of the exterior wants you to display it closed. Either way, it is gorgeous! Free of the typical corner and hinge area damage, owing to the fact that it is a wooden box with a lacquer exterior which mimics papier mache. Chinoise, Japonaise, Orientalist era influencer, Empress Eugenie of France popularized the form and aesthetic during the Napoleon III era in France (c.1850-70). Pagoda form, raised and elegant. Measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. I see a few spots along outer borders of bits of inlaid mother of pearl or abalone where the shell has lifted, is missing - not many. None of the monks/figures are missing, and the overpainting is quite exceptionally nice and intact. The silk interior lining and the color choice of dramatic black and claret red were favorites of Empress Eugenie, wife of the last Emperor of France, Louis-Napoleon, known as Napoleon III. It has a working clock but no key at listing time.
