The coffin form and the decorative style of this box puts it to late 1700s, perhaps very early into 1800s, and the box is in stunningly fine condition on exterior. Pique of cut steel pins in varying sizes spell out "Souvenir", a mother of pearl cartouche awaiting an engraved monogram. The box is beautiful from all angles of view, as you can see. It retains handle, bun feet, working lock and key. When you open it, you want to see the Palais Royal sewing tray filled with implements, scissors, thimble, silk winders and silk, but that tray is missing from this box. Sadly, so often dealers sell off the sewing tools on their own because they can get more for them on their own, leaving these boxes without complete interior. There would have been a mirror there in the lid, and it would be no issue to cut another for the interior. That usually makes the lid heavy and no great at staying open, so we will let the next owner decide. A silk covered card panel to match the lower silk lining would also be a nice finish to that interior lid. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition viewed from the outside, all angles of view. Not even a single cut steel pique pin missing. The 4 bun feet remain, which is often not the case on these very early boxes. Papered bottom is excellent, still. And, unusual, the working lock retains the original working key. Interior bottom silk lining is in place and very nicely preserved. This would have been fitted with a mirror there in the inner lid, and a lift-out tray filled with sewing implements, and both of those have been lost to the centuries. Fabulous form! Bombe top, Empire Egyptian-form after a coffin form. Prettiest one we've had in ages.
