Antique French Kingwood and Gilt Bronze Serpentine Jewelry Casket, Lock Stamped Préville et Fils Aîné à Paris, Napoleon III, c. 1860–1880

Antique French Kingwood and Gilt Bronze Serpentine Jewelry Casket, Préville Lock

A beautifully made Paris casket with a signed lock. The serpentine body and shaped lid are veneered in kingwood with the grain quartered so it meets in a diamond on the lid, bordered by cast gilt bronze leaf-and-berry moldings. Foliate scroll mounts wrap the corners and continue down into scrolling cabriole feet, and the front carries two gilt bronze cartouches, one of them the keyhole escutcheon.

It opens in an unusual way: the lid lifts and the two front doors swing open as well, so the whole interior is presented at once. Inside it is finished in bird's-eye maple, with the original brass hinges. The lock plate is stamped PRÉVILLE ET FILS AÎNÉ À PARIS, the mark of a Paris locksmith whose stamped locks are found on good quality French caskets of the period. The key is present, with a coral silk tassel.

This is the kind of box that was sold by the Paris marchands de luxe of the Second Empire for jewels, letters or gloves. It holds its own on a dresser or a side table, and the serpentine outline gives it real presence for its size.

Details

Origin: France, Paris
Period: Napoleon III, c. 1860–1880
Material: Kingwood veneer, gilt bronze mounts, bird's-eye maple interior, brass hardware
Marks: Lock stamped Préville et Fils Aîné à Paris
Includes: Working key with tassel

Approximate Measurements

height 5" x width 11.5" x depth 5.5"

Condition

Good antique condition with wear consistent with age. Key present, lock jammed. 

A signed Paris casket with wonderful form.