A particularly beautiful French Belle Époque jewellery casket, dating to the late 19th or very early 20th century, circa 1890–1910.
This charming little casket has been designed in the form of a miniature Louis XV/Rococo commode, standing on four wonderfully shaped cabriole legs. The richly cast metal body is decorated throughout with scrolling foliage, shell-like Rococo ornament, moulded panels and architectural detailing, retaining an attractive mellowed gilt finish.
The hinged lid lifts to reveal what is surely the star of the piece: its wonderful original deep cerise-red satin interior, extravagantly padded and button-tufted to both the lid and base. Tufted silk and satin interiors are characteristic of French jewellery caskets of this period, and surviving original linings add enormously to their charm. Comparable early French examples are likewise found with padded silk interiors.
The underside is clearly impressed “MADE IN FRANCE” together with the initials “S R”. Other antique French jewellery caskets bearing the same S R mark are known, although the identity of the manufacturer has not been conclusively established.
Made as a small personal casket for jewellery, rings or treasured keepsakes, it is a delightful example of the French fascination with reproducing grand 18th-century furniture and decorative forms in miniature during the Belle Époque.
The exterior retains a wonderfully aged surface, with rubbing and losses to the original gilded finish and areas of darker patination commensurate with its considerable age. The original cerise satin lining similarly displays some age and wear but remains remarkably vivid and decorative. Please study the photographs, which form part of the condition description.
Date: circa 1890–1910
Origin: France
Style: Louis XV / Rococo Revival, Belle Époque
Material: cast gilt-finished metal with padded satin interior
Mark: MADE IN FRANCE – S R
Dimensions: approximately 9.5 cm high × 7 cm diameter
A gorgeous and highly decorative antique French jewellery casket, made especially appealing by its miniature furniture form, wonderfully timeworn gilding and glorious original cerise buttoned interior.
