Antique French Grand Tour Souvenir Casket, Beveled Glass & Eglomise of Opera

Antique French Églomisé Casket - Souvenir from France, circa 1900 A charming French antique casket from circa 1900 with gilt brass fittings and clear glass panels. The hinged lid fe...

Antique French Églomisé Casket - Souvenir from Verdun, France, circa 1900 A charming French antique casket from circa 1900 with gilt brass fittings and clear glass panels. The hinge...

A gorgeous antique 19th Century French ormolu glass trinket box, circa 1860. This miniature box has the original tufted silk lining, thick beveled ...

This French Empire 19th century rectangular porcelain dresser box or jewlery decorative casket has a wonderfully patinated powder blue/cerulean light blue background color and features grotesque masks, architectural vase, fruit, flowers and leafy scrolled design throughout painted as a trompe l’oeil in the round. Ormolu mounts enrich the whole box. The paintings on this casket are striking as is the color palette used, a wonderful mix of light purple, cream, blue and soft brown. The lid is centered by a grotesque mask inspired by antiquity. The front, back and sides are profusely decorated with architectural elements, cartouches and volutes. The design is centered by a vase with a fruit arrangement that appear to be plums. The decoration could refer to the allegory of autumn and the mask painted on the lid could refer to Bacchus. Both the color of the porcelain and the paintings are very unusual and a sign of high quality and uniqueness.The box was most probably given to a high-ranking lady as a gift on the occasion of her marriage, or perhaps after the birth of a child. The lidded box is fitted with ormolu mounts, hinges and clasp. A gilt bronze band finelly chiseled in the form of a rope adorns the upper part. The trinket box rests on four gilt bronze lion paw feet. This striking French porcelain box...