Antique Victorian NapIII Era Chinoise Jewelry Casket, Hand Painted, Dragon Feet

During the c.1848-70 reign of Emperor Napoleon III (Louis Napoleon), Empress Eugenie's tastes in decor and fashion were closely followed. She was the Jackie Kennedy of her time. Decorative objects in the Chinoise and Japonaise, Empire revival, dark colors and red and black coalesced into the main Victorian aesthetic of "too much is not enough". The Industrialist era opened the world to Grand Tour tourism, spurring markets for decorative objects in that era, as well. This exquisitely formed wood chest, hand decorated in those wonderful themes and forms, and elevated not only by aesthetic but also by the 4 glass-eyed carved dragon feet, would have been a coveted treasure in its time, and it remains so today. Measurements are noted on the photos. Very good to excellent condition for age and type, you will note its lacquered exterior has some loss to the hands which opened it with those front lobes (the ones at back retain their beautiful paintings). While it's rather unusual to find them