152 - A CURLY BIRCH AND TORTOISESHELL BOX WITH A SILVER COAT OF ARMS AND FLEUR-DE-LIS. FRANCE, 19TH CENTURY.

A CURLY BIRCH AND TORTOISESHELL BOX WITH A SILVER COAT OF ARMS AND FLEUR-DE-LIS. FRANCE, 19TH CENTURY. A circular 19th-century table box, crafted from curly birch and veneered with natural tortoiseshell, representing a characteristic example of French decorative arts of the Historicist period. The low cylindrical body is distinguished by harmonious proportions and a carefully finished surface that accentuates the expressive figuring of the wood. The lid is applied with a silver heraldic cartouche enclosing a shield of rich blue enamel, centred by a stylised royal fleur-de-lis. Executed with considerable attention to detail, the heraldic composition forms the principal decorative focus of the object. The use of this emblem of the French monarchy reflects the 19th-century revival of historical motifs and the artistic traditions of the Ancien Régime, particularly characteristic of the taste of the Second Empire and the early Third Republic. The interior was intended for the safekeeping of jewellery, personal mementoes, miniatures, letters or other small valuables. Through its combination of precious materials, restrained form and refined heraldic ornament, the box possesses notable decorative appeal and is of particular interest to collectors of 19th-century French decorative arts. Marks: None identified or presented. Dimensions: Height 2 cm. Diameter 9 cm. Width: 9cm, Height: 2cm, Depth: 9cm, Weight: 0.1kg, Condition: Good, Material: Silver, Tortoiseshell, Birch wood, ID: ID-ANTQ-2981