These are rather rare, really. In 3 decades of searching for them, we've had perhaps 20 and sold a couple to Boissier, probably the most renowned of the 19th century Paris chocolatiers, and others to another confectioner's museum in France. They are the special presentation boxes those businesses had made to fill with their pricey and delicious confections, bonbons, and were meant to be kept as a souvenir long after the chocolate confections were consumed. They're light in weight, balsam wood or card, covered in hand painted paper and ornately adorned with gems as you see on this one, a handle, and a working lock and key - one had to lock away the temptations from one's servants and small children. It was when chocolate and even sugar were new commodities, pricey enough to make them only for the wealthiest, and as a special gift.
Very good condition for age and type. This particular old confectioner's box shows its age a bit - remember, they're paper-covered, and this one is around 170 years of age now. Hand colored paper in a paisley of high appeal against that orange. Gold foil, cabochons of white opaline set on every strapping (none missing) and that spectacular working lock, original key - imagine keeping a chocolate box for 170 years. Hinge and lock both working fine and it even still has the handle up top. Interior is also paper-lined and in very nice condition for these. All that it lacks is the story of its first owner, and gift-giver. Obviously, a treasured old jewelry box souvenir, the smell of French chocolates long since gone, as are they. So charming!
