This 11" wide chest, likely originally a sewing box, dates c.1770-1800 and is entirely hand made, elegant lemonwood, the finish still a satin-like amber color. The sarcophagus form was popular and the appliqué in dore bronze you see there on front would have had repeats on the other 3 canted sides and also on top. Only one remains. The side handles each remain, so unlike some of these, it would not have had a hinged handle up top. The wood is beautifully preserved, no chips or cracks. You look closely to notice tiny holes where the mounting pins would have been for the now missing appliqués. It isn't a distraction due to the richness of the wood. The interior is a lemon silk satin, in quite good form with age considered. It might well have originally had a lift-out tray of Palais Royal sewing tools, which would be my guess. The box size is large for those sets, that era, though, and I see no wear to the silk lining where a tray might have rubbed a bit over time. Handsome desk or table box now, or one for family letters, keepsakes, perhaps. Elevated in form and upon those fabulous paw cabriole legs, a superb old beauty.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The wood is spectacular on this one, and no chipped corners nor edges, no cracks from shrinkage nor accident, and no warping. The missing appliqués become a mystery - perhaps an issue of taste at some point, wanting it to fit more aesthetically into a more modern time? The box is good-sized at 11" long 8 1/4" wide and stands 4 1/2" tall, closed, on those fabulous feet. Both side handles are original and remain in place. The finish on the wood is fabulous, the silk remains very good for age, some rough edge along the very front. The escutcheon is there (darker wood) though we do not have the original key.
