Richly inlaid with mother of pearl panels and plaques, and beautifully hand painted with a charming Country Manor and pastoral scene, this oversized desktop stationery chest or fine old jewelry casket will thrill you as a work of art, too. Dating to mid-Victorian era, c. 1850-70, it still retains the original red silk lining in full, and is without any damage to the many inlays or to the painted top. The only damage to note has been expertly restored ages and ages ago, and is not stable: that being a repair on back lower panel relating to the hinge on one side. These wonderful old papier mache items adorned many luxury homes in their time, and today you will find an entire room dedicated to this art in both the Musee des Beaux Arts in a wing of the Louvre in Paris, and in the fabulous Chateau de Fontainebleau just outside of Paris, as well as in many other museum collections. These papier mache accessories and furnighings are English in origin, The Victoria & Albert in London has many fine examples that rival the beauty of this one, also. Your chance to own a museum piece!
Very good condition with age and type considered. There is one flaw to note, amid what would otherwise be an 'excellent' condition report: there is an old restoration on backside, where one of the 2 hinges has at some time suffered damage or weakness. It has been well accomplished and the hinges and box are stable and strong now. That aside, this is a fantastic example of a lost art. The painting on top elevates it to fine art, and the underlayment of mother of pearl panels brings a colorful shimmer to it you will fall in love with. This is a superb piece! Yes, the old silk lining shows age, but it is not tattered to bits or missing, as so many of these old ones are. A fabulous find! Perfect for your stationery chest on desktop, or for jewelry or whatever. A simple box to re-line the interior if you wanted to freshen it, but we always prefer the orginal state, so presented.
