Antique Japanese Silver Cigar, Jewelry or Keepsake Box

A remarkable intricately designed, handcrafted silver box, circa 1880s. We were told that this box is sterling silver and that the makers mark "M" is that of "M. Mayer". Maurice MAYER was a very prestigious silversmith. Research shows that he was an "Orfèvre de l'Empereur", Napoleon Bonaparte, 1860-1870. The Minerva hallmarks are not visible, may have been rubbed off from use and cleaning. No documentation. This intricately carved box depicts the romantic poem of Le Roman de la Rose (The Romance of the Rose). Comes with the original lock and key. Le Roman de la Rose, begun by Guillaume de Lorris circa 1230 and completed, in a different style, circa 1270-1280, by Jean de Meun, builds on the concept of courtly love found in the poetry of the troubadours. The authors create a complex allegory of the romance between the Lover and the Rose. In the quest to pick the Rose (to achieve the conquest of love), the flower and its attendants represent the Lady and her sentiments while being wooed. In the first part of the poem, written by de Lorris, the Lover recounts his dream, ending with the winning of a kiss from the Lady. In the dream, the Lover discovers a walled garden and gains entrance thanks to a beautiful young woman. He meets Diversion and dancers who represent courtly values such as Beauty and Generosity. A tour of the garden brings him to a beautiful bed of roses by the Fountain of Love...

Beautiful Japanese hand painted porcelain decorative trinket, pill or jewelry box or serving dish of Meiji period. The decoration cons...

Beautiful Limoges porcelain hand crafted and hand painted gold trimmed trinket, jewelry box or lidded candy dish, circa 1930. Marked, see photos. ...

Beautiful handcrafted lidded pill, trinket, or small jewelry box. Intricately designed brass bottom, amber and quartz top. Makes a lovely gif...

A fine quality porcelain lidded candy dish or jewelry box inspired in the manner of 19th Century Sevres designs. This fine quality and beautiful por...

Beautiful hand painted Limoges porcelain candy dish, trinket, or jewelry box. This gorgeous French jewelry box is adorned with traditional decor...

Edwardian Regency sterling silver box. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1917. Square with straight sides. Cover hinged with gently curved top and scrolled top. Allover engine-turned w...

European Biedermeier silver keepsake casket, ca 1840. Lobed and bombe with hinged and raised cover. Cover top flat and vacant. Chased and engraved...

Turn-of-the-century German Rococo 800 silver box. Rectilinear with tapering sides and chamfered corners with scroll supports. Cover hinged, raised, and ...

Pretty European Classical 800 silver keepsake box, ca 1940. Rectangular. Cover flat and hinged with tapering tab. Sides fluted and engraved with fl...

Antique sterling silver cigar box Wood interior. Maker: Unknown (maker mark faded) Made in England, Birmingham, 1912 Fully hallmarked. ...

German 800 silver box, ca 1910. Oval and lobed. Cover hinged and raised with scroll tab. Sides have chased and engraved fruits and foliage on stippled g...