Fabulous & large antique French Napoleon III era gilt ormolu & mother of pearl 8" wide casket, a Palais Royal style "egg" shaped jewel box with foliage top handle, ball footed base and "Souvenir des Sables d'Olonne" lid inscription! These are always popular, a staple of the Palais Royal shops but also made as Grand Tour era souvenir pieces to French sea port villages. This one inscribed on the lid with "Souvenir des Sables d'Ollone" so we know it falls in the latter category. A souvenir of the seaside town in Western France, the inscription and area translates into "The Sands of Olonne". Les Sables-d'Olonne is French for "the sands of Olonne". It was founded in 1218 from Havre d'Olonne by Savary I de Mauléon, the Lord of Mauléon, Sénéchal of Poitou and prince of Talmont. Its history is tied to the ocean for which it has served as a port and point of maritime commerce. Louis XI separated Les Sables d'Olonne from the town of Olonne in 1472. A wonderful, large old shimmering mother of pearl casket, don't miss it!
Very good condition. I see no chips or cracks to the large mother of pearl half shells. Some slight wear or fading to the blue enamel within the inscription. Some darkened age tarnish to the bronze/brass and a bit of bending but no damage or repairs there. There are two small 'beads' of a clear epoxy inside the lid a the point where the pins from the top handle go through the shell. See pictures for measurements.
