Large French Napoleon III Jewelry Box Made Of Painted Glass And Gilded Brass – Circa 1870–1890

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in my antique collection.

An exceptional and highly decorative French jewelry box or wedding chest from the Napoleon III period, dating from approximately 1870–1890.

Square in shape, it features a richly detailed, finely crafted gilt brass frame and rests on four ball feet. The glass panels are adorned with delicate polychrome floral motifs in shades of red, blue, green, white, and gold. The lid, as well as the panel visible inside it, also features floral decoration.

The box has retained its original light-colored silk interior. Originally, the silk was secured high up at the four corners, with connecting elements linking each corner to form an elegantly draped interior. The silk and its connecting elements are still present, but have come loose over time and have sagged downward. The back retains its original silk padding.

The combination of its large dimensions, its curved glass side panels, its polychrome floral decoration, and its richly crafted gilded metal frame makes it an unusual and particularly decorative piece.

This type of box was manufactured in France in the 19th century to store jewelry, precious mementos, or as a wedding gift. Due to the richness of its decoration, this piece can also be described as being in the Palais-Royal style, although no specific manufacturer has been identified.

Dimensions:

18 × 18 cm
Height: 11.5 cm

Condition:

The box is preserved in its original, authentic condition, with normal signs of age and wear on the gilding and metal mounting. The original silk lining shows wear and has come loose from the four corners before drooping downward. However, the elements connecting the various corners are still present.

The upper glass panel has three localized areas of damage but no cracks. A small chip is visible in the lower left corner. Another small area of damage is visible on the inner surface, near the clasp.

A slightly larger chip appears to have been caused during the original assembly. The glass panel, which was manufactured separately, likely did not fit perfectly into the metal frame and appears to have been trimmed locally using pliers. This is most likely a minor, long-standing manufacturing or assembly defect, rather than evidence of a later glass replacement. All of this damage is clearly visible in the detailed photographs.

A large and remarkable French jewelry box from the late 19th century, as appealing as a collector’s item as it is as a decorative piece in a classic interior.

Thank you for visiting my shop.

Best regards,
Ben