Secret System Box, Painting Under Glass – France, Consulate Period.

Round pocket box with a mechanism, made in France during the Consulate period (circa 1799–1804). The box is made of pressed horn. The dark green hue, the material used, and the surface treatment are characteristic of turn-of-the-century productions. The molded decorations exhibit consistent regularity and parallelism on the lid, the body of the box, and the base. The lid is adorned with a reverse glass painting in white grisaille on a red background, depicting two draped female figures in the classical style placing a garland on an altar. The painting is protected by its original domed glass and is encircled by a beaded gold-plated metal band, typical of productions from the Consulate period, which is not hallmarked due to its light weight, below the legal hallmarking threshold. The box consists of three distinct parts: – the lid with the reverse glass painting; – the body of the box; – the screw-on secret base, forming a concealed compartment. The secret base is lined with blue silk, framed by a gold-plated metal band, which is also not hallmarked due to its light weight, below the legal hallmarking threshold. The entire piece is furnished Tortoiseshell case. Notes: The case has a slight, old repair, barely visible on a small part of the rim. The entire piece is original. The mechanism is functional. The condition is very good. The colors in the photos are not exaggerated; it truly appears this way in daylight. Dimensions: Diameter: 7.9 cm Height: 2.6 cm