Fantastic antique French Napoleon III or Victorian era triply scent or perfume caddy, an ornate gesso on wood box by L. Aucoc of Paris decorated with flowers & floral garland and inside with original velvet & more silk fittings and three gold enameled scent bottles! Meant to look as though the exterior is hand carved in a style similar to Black Forest pieces of the era but this one is gesso applied to the wood beneath. Some loss to the gesso is evident, the serpentine shaped box appear to be in oak and the bottles are all original and gorgeous! The inner lock plate inscribed by the maker "L. Aucoc a Paris". The business was founded in 1821 by Jean‑Baptiste Casimir Aucoc at 154 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris and had royal or elite patronage such as the House of King Louis Philippe, the House of Orleans, Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. Also, notable the young jewelry & glass designer René Lalique underwent apprenticeship at Aucoc around 1874–76. A fabulous piece, don't miss it!
Very good condition, age & materials considered. As noted and is evident in the images, there are several spots where the applied gesso decoration is missing to the lid and sides. There also would have been gesso feet protruding from the base of the box but they have been chipped and sanded down so the box rests stable with no wobbling. The bottles are in great shape, possibly a tiny nip here and there but no larger chips, cracks or damage. Some slight wear to the gold enamel and the inner tips of the stoppers do have some small nips or chips.
