Oh, I've always loved the old opaline boxes! This one is quite unique. Don't mistake the form based on angle of photos. It’s slightly distorting to try to look down on a box so the top shows as well as the blue opaline. It is rectangular, stunning semi-opaque old French opaline in my favorite color - blue. Wanting you to see the eglomise (back-painted glass) souvenir view of a cottage. Quite unique, as most of these old ones have Paris architectural sites. I’m afraid I don’t know whose home this is, either. But find it charming thus. Dore bronze framework is brilliant gold in color, setting off both the blue opaline and the eglomise cartouche up top, don't you agree? Large at nearly 5" x nearly 4" canted corner rectangle, it would have been someone's Grand Tour souvenir from c.1840-70, or perhaps specially painted since the scene is quite unusual.
Very good to excellent condition, not a single flaw to note. I've considered whether this one once had a dore bronze base, but there are absolutely no signs that one ever was fitted to it, and the indentation/form isn't typical for those with base added on. It's more ornamental in both size and angles. Very pretty! All measurements are noted on the photos. Caskets like this fine old opaline are a premium in Paris. I have not much doubt this one will end up back in Paris and twice my price at one of the elegant antiques venues, once we can all travel again. Buy it now as a hopeful souvenir of your next trip, perhaps.
