French 19th Century Empire Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Decorative Jewelry Box
Located in Firenze, IT
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...
19th Century French Empire Antique Paint Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
