I can't turn away a Napoleon III era (c.1850-70) French box! It's a fact. I think my very first antique I purchased was a box in London as a graduate student. That simple one would pale beside these elegant French chests. Top cabinetry (ebeniste/ebonistes) in Paris seemed in full competition to outdo one another, and the results show their incredible skills - the likes of TAHAN, Vervelle, Sormani, Giroux, with their engraved lock plates and elegance of the boxes were both signature. This extra large box, in the typical long form of a glove box, is one such. I was actually surprised opening this one to a lock plate without a signature.
Very good to excellent condition throughout, age and type considered. Extra large to begin with. Look at the superb veneers, contrasting stringing and the marquetry of various substances, not a single bit of which is missing or raised. Additionally, the original lined interior of fine silk satin remains unstained, whole, and gorgeous. I really find nothing to disclose by way of a flaw. A rare and extremely treasured 19th century work of artisan's art. Even the working lock and key.
