Fine antique French Napoleon III era pocket watch or jewelry casket, an elegant little box with richly burled amboyna veneers, kingwood rounded edging, inlaid brass cartouche and original fitted interior! 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 that lovely burled hardwood, likely amboyna or walnut, framed with what looks like rounded kingwood edging, brass cartouche in the lid sans monogram and complete fitted interior! 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 a few 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 is one veneer chip on the front bottom right edge and a small imperfection on the back but it's really as pristine as one could hope for given its 100 plus years. The interior is fully intact though there is age to the fabric. Push button clasp works just great. See pictures for measurements.
