"Metal Box With Applied Painted Decoration"
A small rectangular box made of painted metal, topped with a domed lid. The object is richly decorated with a repertoire of scrolls, foliage, frames, and gilded floral motifs applied to a very dark background. Resting on four small ball feet, the box displays the meticulous craftsmanship typical of 19th-century storage objects, often used to hold correspondence, jewelry, or precious items. The patina, a blend of wear and light oxidation, lends the piece the charm of intimate objects from that era.