Solid Silver And Vermeil Enameled Troubadour Box, Neo-renaissance Style. 19th Century.

An exceptional small solid silver box in the Troubadour style, dating from the second half of the 19th century.

The box is round, relatively flat, with a well-domed base. The base is decorated with dark blue champlevé enamel scrolls framing four bouquets of roses with green enameled leaves. Between these bouquets, large motifs of cut leather enameled in sky blue are set with a cabochon of pinkish-red stone or glass.

The lid is decorated with a high-relief frieze depicting two ladies of quality and two gentlemen, alternating with birds, a monkey, and a dog, against a background of blue enamel scrolls and a matte background.

The lid is centered with a blank shield against a background of sky blue champlevé enamel scrolls.

The interior is plain vermeil.

The box is hallmarked:

Boar's head for solid silver, 800/1000 minimum

Traces of a silversmith's hallmark, unfortunately illegible. I seem to see an ampersand between the initials and a mark resembling an eye.

The illegible hallmark prevents identification, but this piece suggests renowned names like Froment-Meurice, Duponchel, or Fannière. However, based on their hallmarks, it is not by these silversmiths, but undoubtedly by a highly talented craftsman whose work is comparable in quality and ornamental richness.

It is a true little masterpiece of goldsmithing, entirely decorated; not a single space is left unadorned. The Neo-Renaissance style is perfectly mastered, with the decorative profusion characteristic of the 19th century and the Troubadour movement that emerged at that time.

While the production of objects in this style is known for gilt-bronze flasks and caskets, it is extremely rare to see such a box in solid silver. I have found no comparable piece.

5.6 cm in diameter
2.5 cm in height

62.27 grams

Good overall condition with some wear to the vermeil, minor losses to the enamel, and one cabochon missing from the body.

Collection in Paris or shipping via insured Colissimo.

France: €15
Europe: €20
Rest of the world: €35