Small Carved Chest – Lacemaker’s Box, Love Box – Folk Art – Auvergne

Late 19th century France – Haute-Loire, Auvergne Small lacemaker's chest in fruitwood, entirely hand-carved in the pure mountain tradition of the Massif Central. An intimate, modest, yet emotionally charged object, it was often given by a loved one or a fiancé—a gift of affection as much as a testament to manual skill. A casket for thread, jewelry, or secrets, it was one of those objects that, in rural homes, preserved much more than their contents. The finely carved lid displays a swirling decoration of palmettes and vegetal commas, entwined on a background punctuated with wolf teeth and love hearts. This motif, of rare freedom, breathes like a landscape: the lines undulate gently, as if the wood retained the memory of the breath of the one who carved it. Each incision becomes a beat—precise, regular, alive. The side faces feature radiating rosettes with points, solar symbols of protection and fertility, omnipresent in 19th-century folk art. Carefully engraved, they recall the intuitive geometry specific to rural artisans: a balance born of the eye, the gesture, and the heart. The carved feet, the visible forged nails, the slight irregularities of assembly contribute to the sincere beauty of the whole. Nothing is perfect, but everything is just right. The interior, bare and smooth, contrasts with the richness of the exterior decoration—like a silence after speech, a preserved space where the secret remains. This small chest, a discreet witness to domestic life in Auvergne, keeps in its fibers the imprint of a slow and inhabited world. It tells nothing, but everything can be guessed: the patience of the hands, the tenderness of the gestures, and this quiet fidelity to what really matters. Condition: very beautiful brown patina, deep carving. A thin layer of wax was applied after cleaning, as the item was previously dull and dusty. Dimensions: Length 11.5 cm – Width 6.5 cm – Height 7 cm ALL DELIVERIES ARE MADE BY DHL EXPRESS ONLY.