Such a pretty juxtaposition of materials in this little French box. Wood base, covered in leather which is gold embossed and overlain by worked panels of white metal and a central cartouche of copper, intaglio etching of a French Romantic era scene after Boucher, Fragonard, etc., whose work dates last half of 1700s. This box is not that old. It would be a Napoleon III souvenir box, or was perhaps a chocolates (chocolatier's) presentation box, originally filed with bonbons and confections. The key to the working lock doesn't remain with it, but the balance of the box remains just lovely.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The leather is really still quite good, slight foxing here or there (see images). Gold embossment looks very pretty, still. Dating about 1850-80s, it hasn't lost a single metal panel and while I did polish slightly, I'm sure it could be brought to a full shine if one wanted to spend a bit more time with it. Just a lovely little desk box, isn't it. The box is 7" x 5" and 3" tall when closed. No odors, no warp, and sadly, no key at listing time. Just look, though!
