A splendid quality maker, the items with signature "P. Sormani, Paris" are highly sought after in France and Europe where they understand that it's a bit like a Tiffany or Chanel, but a century earlier. The finest 19th century cabinetry makers (ebenists) were firms like TAHAN, Vervelle, Sormani, Giroux. A handful whose artistry far exceeded the others and whose objects went to the elite, Royals, upper crust of their time. Each went on to expand to luxury retail shops offering the best of best luxury goods and yet held true to their roots as cabinetry or silver goods. Here you have one such. An elaborately inlaid marquetry of exotic woods and materials of the time, superb quality of construction. This one is not in the finest condition of all we've found over the years, but due to the maker's importance, it is still of particular note. This is a glove box, or was originally. Some note the size and form as being a documents box, but that's a later designation of use. Certainly you might store any manner of your treasures within, from jewelry to documents or dear letters, or stick with gloves. Most of us display a tabletop filled with the most gorgeous old 18th and 19th century French boxes and just enjoy the beauty of the craft. Measurements are noted on the photos, but it is 12" long.
Good to very good condition for age and type. This is not a pristine box, but it is elegant and has much to promote it. No missing inlays, and no missing veneers or trim, though you will see some mars or pushes on the wood surface which results from rougher handling. The interior's silk lining is mostly intact, but there are some rough spots which can be reviewed in our photos. There is no key, but also the lock is missing the pin. Box will not lock without a bit of restoration. That said, it is gorgeous and represents many of the reasons SORMANI remains more valuable than most even now. Were it closer to printing, the price would be double for a Sormani box like it.
