Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket & Limoges Miniature c.1870
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This is a fine example of an antique Napoleon III gilt bronze jewellery casket that features a Limoges miniature dating from around 1860.
The front, sides, back and top are wonderfully cast and tooled in gilt bronze. The rope outline, delicate foliate work and filigree decoration are superbly executed. The lid encloses a beautifully finely painted miniature Limoges enamel portrait bust of a young woman, signed H.C.
The interior is lined with the original burgundy velvet fabric.
Condition
This lovely antique gilt bronze jewellery casket is in excellent condition. The interior lining shows minor signs of wear and tear commensurate with the age and use of the object. Please check the photographs to satisfy yourself of the condition.
More About Limoges Enamel
Enamel work from Limoges has enjoyed two periods of popularity in Europe. The first was during the 12th to 14th centuries when metal objects were decorated using the champleve technique. Most of these items were religious objects.
The use of enamel again became popular in the 15th century with the development of painted enamel and Limoges became a leading centre during the French Renaissance. Luxury pieces such as plaques, plates and ewers were painted with Mannerist decoration depicting pictorial figure scenes surrounded by elaborate borders.
Narrative scenes were the most popular in both periods and reflected the styles of their periods with the medieval style being simpler than the later Renaissance style. The technique went into decline from about 1630 with the rise of popularity of porcelain. However, it was revived in the mid 19th century and adopted Art Nouveau and other contemporary styles.
More Information and To View
Fine gilt bronze jewellery caskets of this quality are always best viewed them in person if that is possible. However we know that this is not always possible so you are welcome to contact us using the contact details shown above with any questions you might have about this lovely gilt bronze jewellery casket. We would also be pleased to arrange a viewing of this and our many other gilt bronze jewellery caskets and other bronze items at our North London warehouse and showroom. Please email us or call for an appointment to view, quoting our reference as shown above so we know which item you are referring to.
Our showroom is open from 10am to 5pm every weekday and also on occasional Saturdays - please call first before making a journey on a Saturday to make certain that we are open on your chosen day.
Shipping, Delivery and Return
This gilt bronze jewellery casket is a delicate and valuable item so it requires specialised packing and shipping to its final destination - whether that be your home or other premises. We can pack and ship it to almost any destination worldwide, but we request that you please call or email for a shipping quotation before making your purchase so that we can fully discuss your requirements.
We ship to any mainland UK address free of charge. If you are not satisfied with this item we offer a 14-day money back guarantee in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations. You will be responsible for the return shipping fees for this gilt bronze jewellery casket unless we have erroneously described it in some material way and you do not receive what you were expecting. You must return them in its original packaging and condition. You are also responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that fall due outside the European Union.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 5 x Width 11 x Depth 10.5
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 inches x Width 4 inches x Depth 4 inches
Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 - 1807)
was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as "Kauffmann", Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.
While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.
Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.
The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek atMunich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).
Satinwood
is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satinwood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia.
The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satinwood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies.
It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satinwood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.
Our reference: 08122
Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse.
