Unusual Nineteenth Century Signed French Rosewood and Mother of Pearl Box w/Bronze Ormolu

Signed boxes such as this are always of the very highest quality and utmost design style. This one has an unusual and curvaceous shape, with a wave-like effect rippling outward and inward. The lid is of burl bird's eye maple. The inlay effect is actually a trompe l'oeil (to fool the eye) and is hand done to resemble different types and grains of wood. The center medallion does have inlay work of wood and a large piece of delicately cut mother-of-pearl.

The sides of the box are of burl bird's eye maple with trompe l'oeil patterns in ribbon shapes around the entire box. The bottom of the box is mahogany. There are four bronze ormolu feet, with delicately turned up toes.

The interior is of ivory silk with a bronze lock and hinge. There is a key (which works). The box measures 8 1/4" long, 2 7/8" high and 5 1/4" deep at the widest point in the middle. The inside measures 1 1/2" deep.

It survives in very sound and working condition. There is hardly any wear to the exterior, it has the original feet. The lock and key are working. The interior is faded and has fraying (it could be replaced but we chose to leave it in it's original condition).

It would be a beautiful stamp/desk accessory box or would be an elegant holder for those (unsightly and modern) TV remotes.

Item ID: MT441