Rare antique French Napoleon III era pocket watch or jewelry casket, an elegant little box with jet black ebony or ebonized walnut veneers and a highly ornate boulle inlaid top! 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 & 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 two fabulous old pocket watch caskets that we're adding this week 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 condition. There may be a tiny bit of loss to the inlay and there are some slightly cloudy spots. The interior has the original hinged box/tray that folds up and holds the pocket watch along with the original velvet linings though they're aged a bit. A small veneer chip on the front upper right and some scratches around the clasp push button. There may also have been a brass string along the very top of the sides, making two top and two bottom but the upper most is missing on all sides. A slight bit of wear to the ebony finish in places. See pictures for measurements.
