Important Casket With A Count's Crown, Maison Giroux, Paris.

A luxurious and important Napoleon III period casket, crafted from ebonized wood veneer and richly decorated with exquisitely fine brass and copper marquetry, characteristic of Parisian luxury goods of the mid-19th century. The lid features a particularly remarkable design, centered on two oval medallions surmounted by counts' coronets, each containing finely engraved initials. This heraldic vocabulary, combined with the quality of execution and the object's substantial size, strongly suggests that it was a wedding or ceremonial casket, commissioned specifically for a particular occasion. The overall decoration comprises foliate scrolls, shaped cartouches, and perfectly balanced geometric frames. This type of metal marquetry, inherited from the Boulle tradition, is here freely reinterpreted according to the eclectic taste of the Second Empire, a period marked by decorative refinement and technical virtuosity. The box rests on an elegantly contoured, molded base and opens with a lock, bearing a plaque engraved "Maison Giroux – Paris," formally attesting to its origin. Maison Giroux, active until 1867, was among the most important Parisian firms of the 19th century, renowned for its furniture, boxes, and luxury objects intended for a demanding bourgeois and aristocratic clientele. Typology and Use: By its typology, dimensions, and deliberately versatile interior, this box belongs to the category of grand prestige boxes of the Second Empire. It was intended for the storage of precious objects, jewelry, papers, and personal effects, and could also hold writing accessories, without, however, being a specialized writing desk in the strict sense. This type of box, common in 19th-century luxury goods, lent itself to multiple uses, depending on the needs, rank, and lifestyle of its owner. Interior: The high-quality interior is entirely veneered in rosewood and includes two solid rosewood drawers, precise joinery, and a functional layout. It offers an elegant contrast between the understated blackened exterior and the warmth of the rosewood. Condition: The box is in excellent condition. It features an old French polish with a deep and even patina. The marquetry is complete, perfectly in place, and without any missing pieces. The opening mechanism is functional. The piece presents a remarkable and perfectly authentic appearance. Dimensions: Height: 28 cm Width: 58.5 cm Depth: 41.5 cm Conclusion: This box is a superb example of Parisian luxury during the Second Empire, combining decorative richness, quality craftsmanship, versatility, and strong symbolic significance. Signed by Maison Giroux and adorned with count's crowns, it stands out as a top-tier collector's item, equally suited for decorative display or for a collection of 19th-century luxury objects.