Fabulous antique French Napoleon III era pocket watch or pendant/jewelry display casket, an elegant little box with jet black ebony or ebonized walnut veneers and a highly ornate boulle style brass & mother of pearl inlaid facade! A place for everything, and everything gloriously in its place - and no excess is too much; that seems to have been the rule of the day. And the day was 1840-70s Napoleon III era, France, the birthplace and time for this superb likely pocket watch box, casket. Entirely made in fine old box wood, then veneered in what is most likely walnut with an ebony finish, brass strip inlays & edging and that beautiful natural shell, faux mother of pearl & brass boulle top! A fine example of the era, aesthetic, and immense allure these old pieces represent. Wildly popular in France and abroad, these glorious old cabinetry pieces proliferated in Napoleon III era France, and we reap the benefit of their popularity and appeal still today in those that survive. One of a few remarkable old pocket watch caskets that we currently have available (with a few more coming in from France in the next week or so) so, be sure to browse some while you're with us. Thanks!
While on the subject of fine antique boxes, by the way, I MUST mention to you a fabulous newly published reference book by our friend and customer, Genevieve Cummins of Australia. Over the past several years, Genevieve has been working on a masterpiece of a book, which we've just recently received copies of. It's SUPERB! We're pleased to see our own shop noted in many of the pages, and to revisit so many exceptional antique boxes we've had over the years. Some of you who buy antique boxes from us might well see your own in there, as we did share our images often with Genevieve. Be sure to order it. The title is: "ANTIQUE BOXES, Inside and Out". Hot off the presses, it's got 429 delicious pages of boxes.
Very good to excellent condition. No missing inlays to note and no loss, damage or fading to the ebony finished veneers elsewhere. The interior has the original removable tray to hold the pocket watch or pendant, or even a smaller portrait miniature. Original beveled glass in the lid. See pictures for measurements.
