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Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket & Limoges Miniature c.1870

Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
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  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
  • Antique Gilt Bronze Jewellery Casket and Limoges Miniature | Ref. no. 08122 | Regent Antiques
Ref: 08122
Price: £675.00
This is a fine example of an antique Napoleon III gilt bronze jewellery casket that features a Limoges miniature dating from...
Question about item

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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

Our reference: 08122

Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse.

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Limoges enamel
has been produced at Limoges, in south-western France, over several centuries up to the present. There are two periods when it was of European importance. From the 12th century to 1370 there was a large industry producing metal objects decorated in enamel using the champlevé technique, of which most of the survivals (estimated at around 7,500 pieces), and probably most of the original production, are religious objects such as reliquaries.
 
After a gap of a century, the industry revived in the late 15th century, now specializing in the technique of painted enamel, and within a few decades making rather more secular than religious pieces. In the French Renaissance it was the leading centre, with several dynastic workshops, who often signed or punchmarked their work Luxury pieces such as plates, plaques and ewers were painted with sophisticated Mannerist decoration of pictorial figure scenes which on vessels were surrounded by elaborate borders.
 
In both periods the largest pieces include narrative scenes. These exemplify the styles of their respective periods. In the medieval champlevé the action is simply and directly shown by a few figures, with patterned backgrounds. In the Mannerist painted pieces numerous figures and detailed backgrounds tend to overwhelm the activity of the main figures.
 
After a decline from about 1630, and later competition from porcelain, high-quality production revived in the mid-19th century, and adopted art nouveau and other contemporary styles, with a relatively small production.
  
Limoges enamel has been produced at Limoges, in south-western France, over several centuries up to the present. There are two periods when it was of European importance. From the 12th century to 1370 there was a large industry producing metal objects decorated in enamel using the champlevé technique, of which most of the survivals (estimated at around 7,500 pieces), and probably most of the original production, are religious objects such as reliquaries.
 
After a gap of a century, the industry revived in the late 15th century, now specializing in the technique of painted enamel, and within a few decades making rather more secular than religious pieces. In the French Renaissance it was the leading centre, with several dynastic workshops, who often signed or punchmarked their work Luxury pieces such as plates, plaques and ewers were painted with sophisticated Mannerist decoration of pictorial figure scenes which on vessels were surrounded by elaborate borders.
 
In both periods the largest pieces include narrative scenes. These exemplify the styles of their respective periods. In the medieval champlevé the action is simply and directly shown by a few figures, with patterned backgrounds. In the Mannerist painted pieces numerous figures and detailed backgrounds tend to overwhelm the activity of the main figures.
 
After a decline from about 1630, and later competition from porcelain, high-quality production revived in the mid-19th century, and adopted art nouveau and other contemporary styles, with a relatively small production.
 

Ormolu
 (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

No true ormolu was produced in France after around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury. Therefore, other techniques were used instead but nothing surpasses the original mercury-firing ormolu method for sheer beauty and richness of colour. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt (also known as vermeil).

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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

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Shipping:

We ship worldwide and deliver to Mainland UK addresses free of charge.

A shipping cost to all other destinations must be requested prior to purchase.

UK shipping times are typically 2-3 days.

International shipping times vary depending on the destination and method of shipment.

To request a shipping quote for the items in your cart, please click HERE.

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Delivery and return policy:

We require that someone be home on the agreed delivery day if applicable, otherwise a redelivery fee will apply.

In accordance with Distance Selling Regulations, we offer a 14-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the item.

The item must be returned in its original packaging and condition.

Unless the item is not as described in a material way, the buyer is responsible for return shipping expenses.

Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the European Union.

Returns will be processed within 1-2 business days of receipt.

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