Beschreibung:

AN IMPORTANT FRENCH HISTORICIST SILVER-GILT, NIELLO, LAPIS-LAZULI AND GEM-SET JEWEL CASKET
MARK OF MENTION ET WAGNER, PARIS, 1832-1838
AN IMPORTANT FRENCH HISTORICIST SILVER-GILT, NIELLO, LAPIS-LAZULI AND GEM-SET JEWEL CASKET MARK OF MENTION ET WAGNER, PARIS, 1832-1838 In 16th-century taste; the rectangular casket with a hinged cover surmounted by a lapis panel, the panel also hinged and opening to reveal a compartment with gilt interior etched with arabesques; the cover border with stylized leaves against a niello ground, the sides of the casket set with four further lapis panels within scrollwork frames, the rim and base applied with cut-leather and grotesque ornament, the corners inset with arched niches supporting four putti--two girls holding jewel caskets and two boys holding a necklace of an emerald and two rubies--the four corners applied with clusters of baroque pearls with translucent green enamel leaves, the niches and base with blue enamel and lapis stones, the cover, base and sides applied with hardstone and amethyst cameos after the antique, some set with rubies, marked on rim with pre-1838 poinçon de garantie for Paris and maker's mark M&W in lozenge, also with later control marks; the inside of the upper compartment and the inside of the casket stamped with maker's patent BREVET D'INVENT M&W Paris; in original fitted red leather case with brass handles and hardware 12½ in. (31.7 cm.) long; gross weight 255 oz. (7952 gr.)