Antique French Kingwood Parquetry Perfume Casket with Silvered Putti Mounts and Two Cut Crystal Scent Bottles, Napoleon III, c. 1860–1880

Antique French Kingwood Parquetry Perfume Casket with Two Cut Crystal Bottles

A proper little coffret à parfums from the Second Empire. The box is veneered in kingwood laid in a bold quartered parquetry so the grain meets in a diamond on every face, framed by a fine brass line along the edges. On the lid sits a cast silvered mount of two winged putti reclining among roses on either side of a classical profile medallion, and a smaller pair of putti frames the keyhole on the front.

Lift the lid and the interior is lined in soft taupe velvet with a looped braid trim, holding two cut crystal scent bottles with faceted stoppers that sit snugly in their own fitted compartments. The original style key is present, finished with a pale silk tassel.

Boxes like this were made in Paris in the 1860s and 1870s for the dressing table, when a lady's perfumes were decanted into crystal and kept under lock and key. It is a lovely thing to use exactly as intended, or to keep on a vanity holding a favorite pair of bottles.

Details

Origin: France
Period: Napoleon III, c. 1860–1880
Material: Kingwood parquetry veneer, brass edging, silvered metal mounts, velvet lining, cut crystal bottles
Includes: Two cut crystal bottles with stoppers, with key with tassel

Approximate Measurements

Box: height 4" x width 5" x depth3.25"
Bottles: height 3.5" 

Condition

Good antique condition with wear consistent with age. Slight Veneer loss to bottom left side, silvering, with key (does not turn). 

A charming piece of Paris vanity history, ready for the dressing table.