167 - Rectangular box made of straw marquetry with a floral design, opening to reveal compartments and a mirror.

Rectangular box made of straw marquetry with a floral design, opening to reveal compartments and a mirror. (signs of wear, minor damage, and missing parts, including one leg) 9.5 x 27.5 x 20.5 cm Note: Straw marquetry is a decorative art that emerged in Europe in the 17th century and flourished in the 18th century. This technique involves splitting, flattening, staining, and then assembling thin strips of straw—usually rye straw—to create geometric or figurative designs. Naturally lustrous thanks to its siliceous surface, straw creates plays of light and shifting reflections that give it an appearance similar to certain precious veneers. Long used to adorn caskets, writing sets, jewelry boxes, and small tabletop objects, this technique was also practiced in religious communities and penal colony workshops. Rediscovered during the Art Deco period by designers such as André Groult and Jean-Michel Frank, it is now experiencing a resurgence. This box with floral decoration, which opens to reveal compartments and a mirror, is part of this long tradition of curios and decorative objects.