Fine antique French Napoleon III or Victorian era gilt bronze cigar humidor or tobacco jar, a unique piece with remnants of jewel inlaid sides amidst an ornate floral & foliate band, bronze rope lid bordering and pietra dura style medallion with hand painted floral bouquet! The plaque insert or medallion is not actually an Italian pietra dura piece but rather made to mimic it. Black marble or slate as was employed with actual pietra dura works but the floral decoration is hand painted instead of the glass tile or tesserae inlay. The casket itself is in bronze with a gilt finish, the sides encircled by the machined floral band and you can see some remaining turquoise jewels and, sadly, only imagine how impressive the jewel inlay must have originally been. An attractive piece nonetheless, wonderful condition with a nod to the missing jewels and a fabulous desk or writing table top decorative accent.
Very good condition. Missing jewels, as noted above and visible in the images. There is some slight exterior surface scuffing and wear to the gilding on the 'rope' lid border. See pictures for measurements.
