Highly Carved Antique French Oak Jewelry Box, Circa 1880

Hand-carved from walnut in France, circa 1880, this unusual inkwell features foliate and floral motifs. A flip-top lid adorned with a pair of bas relief flowers tops the central pen ...

From France, circa 1880, this exceptional buffet features curved ends, giving the cabinet an overall demilune shape. Carved by hand by an immensely talented woodworker, the motifs on the two center doors depict a fowl trophy (left door) and a fish trophy (right door), making this a buffet de chasse (hunting buffet). Both of the trophies, which are bas-relief, are surrounded by an arabesque of foliage, lozenges, and rinceaux, that is in turn encompassed by a rectangular molding adorned with a repeating latticework of lozenges. This same border also embellishes the two curved side doors, encircling a large bouquet of fruit and flowers carved in relief. The two center doors open to reveal a large compartment with a single shelf, while both of the side doors front separate compartments with a wedge-shaped shelf. Above each door is a belt drawer with small pendant pulls set within a sprawling foliate margent with floral terminals. Each drawer is flanked by two raised rectangular panels festooned with detailed leaf clusters. Directly beneath two of the leaf bouquets on the front façade are two protruding pilasters that separate the side doors from the main compartment doors. These supports have been carved with a fluted volute topped by a large leaf above a margent of assorted fruits. Beneath the pilasters is a protruding apron that is flush with the floor, carved with angular foliate niches and concentric roundels. More rounded version of the infilled niches grace the quarter-round molding that enhances the top, with a pull-out bread board that tops the front two drawers. The craftsmanship of our demi lune buffet...

Designed to maximize efficiency without sacrificing floor space, this oak corner cabinet was hand-carved in France, circa 1885. The form is reminiscent of a bonnetiere, which is a si...

Known as a “St Hubert”, this impressive oak hunt buffet features a well-carved back wall with two shelves set above a traditional buffet body. This structure, as well as the presence of the highly detailed and scrolled pilasters, are hallmarks of a St Hubert buffet or vaisselier. Additionally, St Hubert was the patron saint of hunters, so pieces such as ours almost always feature hunting trophies or carvings of animals. Perhaps the most noticeable carving is the ornate crown, which has a pair of winged lions flanking a shaped coat of arms topped by a scalloped shell with foliate margents running under the mythical creatures. Two more winged lions (with large monopodial feet) make up the pilasters that support the bottom shelf. The pilasters of the upper shelf are scrolled architectural elements with a curled leaf façade. Both shelves have volute leaf curls on each side, while the back wall has two foliate margents with a raised roundel medallion, set inside a rectangular border adorned with foliage. The same rectangular border can be seen on all four doors of the main body, each enveloping a unique carving inspired by nature. Both center doors have been embellished with trophies of felled birds, opening to reveal a single shelf. The side doors, which have been meticulously carved in a curved fashion, feature fruit and floral bouquets tied with crinkled ribbons, and front a shaped shelf. Above each door is a drawer festooned with rectangular molding and foliate margents, separated by square joinery embellished with rosettes and leaf clusters. Buffets such as ours would have been used as presentation pieces for fresh game in French hunting lodges...

Hand-carved in France, circa 1880, this wooden bracket console features a wonderfully executed winged angel beneath an angular entablature. The innocent visage of the cherub is augme...

This pair of large oak boiserie elements were carved in Normandy, France, circa 1880. Boiserie is the French term for “woodwork”, but the phrase is genera...

Beautiful antique box made of gutta-percha, France, around 1880. Former used as a pyrogene and to put matches in, can now also be used wonderfully as a jewelry box. Exceptional ornam...

Beautiful antique porcelain jewelry box. Signed " France Limoges" at the bottom. Limoges is a city in France that is known as the capital of ...

Antique handmade Italian jewelry box in wood lined with silk velvet. It has beautiful scalloped sides which are smooth as silk to the touch. The box has a hinged lid which also is po...

Antique French carved walnut jewel box, Circa 1880-1890. Beautifully carved with Lovebirds and Foliage, and with 3 Compartments newly lined on the interior.

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 silver-plated brass jewelry box, France, 1880s. Fine flower tendrils and blossom decorations on all sides. The lid shows a scene from an taverne, the landlady pouring wine from a carafe for a musician. Beautiful attention to detail on the surrounding utensils, such as wine troughs...