Signed Vervelle Aîné French Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Casket with Mother-of-Pearl, Mid-19th Century
Signed Vervelle Aîné French Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Casket with Mother-of-Pearl, Mid-19th Century
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Item: Signed Vervelle Aîné French Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Casket with Mother-of-Pearl, Mid-19th Century
Additional Description
A superb mid-19th-century French decorative casket by Vervelle Aîné, one of the better-known Parisian makers of luxury boxes and small furnishings during the early Napoleon III period.
The rectangular casket is crafted in richly toned ebonized wood and decorated in elaborate Boulle-style marquetry, with finely engraved gilt-brass arabesques set against a warm red tortoiseshell-type ground. Delicate mother-of-pearl flowers are interspersed throughout the composition, while a central oval mother-of-pearl cartouche anchors the lid within an exceptionally dense arrangement of scrolling foliate ornament.
The front panel continues the decorative scheme with engraved brass scrollwork, floral mother-of-pearl inlay, and a central rocaille-form escutcheon. Fine brass stringing outlines the case, while molded beaded borders frame both the lid and base.
The hinged lid opens to reveal a beautifully fitted blond figured-wood interior divided into several compartments, intended for jewelry, personal effects, sewing implements, or other small valuables. Most importantly, the brass lock plate is signed “Vervelle Aîné,” confirming manufacture by the celebrated Parisian firm.
Comparable Vervelle Aîné caskets are documented with blackened wood, engraved brass and mother-of-pearl marquetry, and the firm is particularly associated with finely made boxes, caskets, traveling necessaires, liquor cases, and other luxury objects. Drouot Gazette
Maker
Vervelle Aîné — Alexandre-Louis Vervelle (1800–1856), Paris
The Vervelle firm was established by Alexandre-Louis Vervelle’s father, Jean-François Vervelle, in the early 19th century. Alexandre-Louis became known for the manufacture of small furniture, caskets, decorative boxes, traveling sets, liquor cases, and luxury household objects. By around 1840, the workshop reportedly employed approximately 100 workers. La Galerie Napoléon 3
Vervelle exhibited at the French industrial exhibitions of 1827, 1844, and 1855, and supplied caskets and related luxury objects to the Mobilier de la Couronne, underscoring the firm’s status among Parisian decorative arts manufacturers of the period.
Era
Circa 1840–1856
Early Napoleon III / Second Empire period
History
Boulle marquetry takes its name from the celebrated French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle and traditionally combines contrasting materials such as brass and tortoiseshell to create elaborate scrolling ornament.
The technique experienced an important revival during the 19th century, particularly in Paris, where makers including Vervelle adapted the vocabulary of Louis XIV and Régence decorative arts for jewelry boxes, tea caddies, writing boxes, liquor cases, and small furniture.
A closely comparable mid-19th-century Vervelle casket has been recorded in solid ebony with tortoiseshell and brass marquetry and signed “Vervelle Aîné” on the original lock. Drouot Gazette Another documented example combines blackened wood with engraved brass and mother-of-pearl marquetry and is likewise signed on the lock, making it especially comparable to the present example.
Marks / Signature
Signed “Vervelle Aîné” on the interior brass lock plate.
Materials
- Ebonized wood
- Engraved brass marquetry
- Red tortoiseshell or tortoiseshell-type ground
- Mother-of-pearl inlay
- Brass stringing and hardware
- Figured blond wood fitted interior
The red marquetry material has not been scientifically tested and is therefore described conservatively as tortoiseshell or tortoiseshell-type material.
Dimensions
Please add overall dimensions:
___” H × ___” W × ___” D
Condition
Good antique condition consistent with age and use. The casket retains a strong overall presentation with much of its intricate brass and mother-of-pearl decoration intact. Expected surface scratches, minor abrasions, age-related cracking, and scattered small losses or lifting to the marquetry are visible. The fitted interior shows light spotting, marks, and wear consistent with age. Brass hardware and hinges appear substantially intact. Please review all photographs closely as they form part of the condition description.
Provenance
France, mid-19th century.
Signed Vervelle Aîné to the lock plate.
Disclaimers
Antique and vintage items are sold as found and may exhibit wear, repairs, restorations, replacements, shrinkage, oxidation, losses, or other evidence of age and use not specifically noted.
Materials have been identified visually unless otherwise stated. The red shell material has not been scientifically tested.
Item: Signed Vervelle Aîné French Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Casket with Mother-of-Pearl, Mid-19th Century
Additional Description
A superb mid-19th-century French decorative casket by Vervelle Aîné, one of the better-known Parisian makers of luxury boxes and small furnishings during the early Napoleon III period.
The rectangular casket is crafted in richly toned ebonized wood and decorated in elaborate Boulle-style marquetry, with finely engraved gilt-brass arabesques set against a warm red tortoiseshell-type ground. Delicate mother-of-pearl flowers are interspersed throughout the composition, while a central oval mother-of-pearl cartouche anchors the lid within an exceptionally dense arrangement of scrolling foliate ornament.
The front panel continues the decorative scheme with engraved brass scrollwork, floral mother-of-pearl inlay, and a central rocaille-form escutcheon. Fine brass stringing outlines the case, while molded beaded borders frame both the lid and base.
The hinged lid opens to reveal a beautifully fitted blond figured-wood interior divided into several compartments, intended for jewelry, personal effects, sewing implements, or other small valuables. Most importantly, the brass lock plate is signed “Vervelle Aîné,” confirming manufacture by the celebrated Parisian firm.
Comparable Vervelle Aîné caskets are documented with blackened wood, engraved brass and mother-of-pearl marquetry, and the firm is particularly associated with finely made boxes, caskets, traveling necessaires, liquor cases, and other luxury objects. Drouot Gazette
Maker
Vervelle Aîné — Alexandre-Louis Vervelle (1800–1856), Paris
The Vervelle firm was established by Alexandre-Louis Vervelle’s father, Jean-François Vervelle, in the early 19th century. Alexandre-Louis became known for the manufacture of small furniture, caskets, decorative boxes, traveling sets, liquor cases, and luxury household objects. By around 1840, the workshop reportedly employed approximately 100 workers. La Galerie Napoléon 3
Vervelle exhibited at the French industrial exhibitions of 1827, 1844, and 1855, and supplied caskets and related luxury objects to the Mobilier de la Couronne, underscoring the firm’s status among Parisian decorative arts manufacturers of the period.
Era
Circa 1840–1856
Early Napoleon III / Second Empire period
History
Boulle marquetry takes its name from the celebrated French cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle and traditionally combines contrasting materials such as brass and tortoiseshell to create elaborate scrolling ornament.
The technique experienced an important revival during the 19th century, particularly in Paris, where makers including Vervelle adapted the vocabulary of Louis XIV and Régence decorative arts for jewelry boxes, tea caddies, writing boxes, liquor cases, and small furniture.
A closely comparable mid-19th-century Vervelle casket has been recorded in solid ebony with tortoiseshell and brass marquetry and signed “Vervelle Aîné” on the original lock. Drouot Gazette Another documented example combines blackened wood with engraved brass and mother-of-pearl marquetry and is likewise signed on the lock, making it especially comparable to the present example.
Marks / Signature
Signed “Vervelle Aîné” on the interior brass lock plate.
Materials
- Ebonized wood
- Engraved brass marquetry
- Red tortoiseshell or tortoiseshell-type ground
- Mother-of-pearl inlay
- Brass stringing and hardware
- Figured blond wood fitted interior
The red marquetry material has not been scientifically tested and is therefore described conservatively as tortoiseshell or tortoiseshell-type material.
Dimensions
Please add overall dimensions:
___” H × ___” W × ___” D
Condition
Good antique condition consistent with age and use. The casket retains a strong overall presentation with much of its intricate brass and mother-of-pearl decoration intact. Expected surface scratches, minor abrasions, age-related cracking, and scattered small losses or lifting to the marquetry are visible. The fitted interior shows light spotting, marks, and wear consistent with age. Brass hardware and hinges appear substantially intact. Please review all photographs closely as they form part of the condition description.
Provenance
France, mid-19th century.
Signed Vervelle Aîné to the lock plate.
Disclaimers
Antique and vintage items are sold as found and may exhibit wear, repairs, restorations, replacements, shrinkage, oxidation, losses, or other evidence of age and use not specifically noted.
Materials have been identified visually unless otherwise stated. The red shell material has not been scientifically tested.