RARE Antique French Ormolu Frame 5" Tall Jewelry Box, Scent Caddy, Dogs & Agate Jeweled
Might it have been fitted with a sewing set? Perhaps a necessaire? A chocolatier's box? Open and holding cigars at some grand event? I have seen only 3 like this in all my long and very well-traveled and antique-shopped life. I bought them all. The other 2 each sold almost immediately in the $2300 range and both were the same maker, same ormolu casement and same semi-precious stone settings, but where this one is backed in faux tortoise shell (reconstituted horn and proteins -casein, to mimic real slabs of tortoise shell, the other 2 were backed in faux mother of pearl. I'm adding a photo of one of those at the very end of listing to show you the fake mother of pearl slab look (not included - this offering is for one which looks like fine old tortoise shell). Semi-precious cabochons, 12 in all, and a ball finial adorn the open framework and attacking hounds are cast on each side. Elegant on raised legs. It has the old original silk liner in the interior lid, beautifully preserved, but