The smaller sugar caskets like this, late 1700s to around 1830, and then this larger size from c.1830-1860 tell a story of sugar. Of how precious the commodity was in those early years. A sign of wealth, and of temptation, it was displayed and also locked away to keep anyone (servants) from pilfering even a tiny bit. The French sugar casket, as you have here, still holds such magic. This one is Baccarat, c.1840-50, and is pristine apart from the original key having lost itself through the centuries.
Very good to excellent condition as you see it. Not a tiny nip nor chip, not a tiny hairline, no cracks. These sometimes come in opaline, but these clear ones are probably my favorite. They work in any decor from antiques to modern, and the high polish of the framework on this one elevates it to almost being a jewel, itself. The slight variation in thickness of the glass seems to pull the light into itself and reflect it back double. They almost light themselves, these old ones. I've long had one with portrait miniatures on display inside, or my micro mosaics - any small precious lovely. You'll love it empty. Or open and filled with a table centerpiece display of flowers once we can have friends over to dinner again. Perfect for that, too. Full measurements noted on photos. We'll look to see if we might have a little key, but it's listed without one. We'll annotate the listing if we do find one to work.
