Napoleon III Period Glove Box Boulle Marquetry Late 19th Century

  

Superb and elegant glove box / jewelry box from the Napoléon III era, resting on four feet connected by a lower band. The sides are decorated with veneer of thuya burl, and on the upper and lower parts with black-stained pear veneer. Each black pear veneer is enhanced with a brass fillet.

The lid is made of thuya burl veneer, featuring a central medallion with a blank brass cartouche, decorated with brass scrolls, flowers, and pine cones made of bone against a black pear background. The perimeter is adorned with pinecone friezes along the length, and the four corners are decorated with brass scrolls, accented with flowers and pine cones made of bone on a black-stained pear veneer background. The interior is lined with red quilted silk.

Lock, fittings, and hinges are made of brass. Black-stained pear veneer on the edges. H 10.3 cm x W 31 cm x D 12 cm. In generally good condition, with a bump on the lid, one corner slightly damaged, and a loss of thuya veneer at the hinge (see last 3 photos). The key is missing; the lock has been tested and is functional, with fittings in order.

Very nice finish with a polished varnish showing a beautiful shine. The interior exhibits stains and depigmentation.