Napoléon III Ebonized Wood Perfume Casket with Painted Floral Plaque and Two Crystal Bottles
Napoléon III Ebonized Wood Perfume Casket with Painted Floral Plaque and Two Crystal Bottles
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Elegant French perfume casket of bombe form, finished in ebonized wood with fine brass borders following the contours of the case. The lid is centered with an oval hand-painted floral plaque depicting roses, blossoms, and foliage in soft pastel tones, mounted within an ornate gilt metal surround with rocaille-style detailing.
The case opens to a fitted interior lined in rich red silk velvet, housing two original cut crystal perfume bottles with matching faceted stoppers. Each bottle features star-cut bases and angled shoulders, consistent with mid-19th-century French crystal production. The front retains its original working lock and decorative key escutcheon.
The underside bears a partially intact retailer’s paper label reading “ALPH. GIROUX Successeurs”, indicating association with the prestigious Parisian luxury firm known for high-quality decorative objects and cased goods. Construction, materials, and finish align with luxury personal objects produced for the Parisian bourgeoisie during the Second Empire.
Elegant French perfume casket of bombe form, finished in ebonized wood with fine brass borders following the contours of the case. The lid is centered with an oval hand-painted floral plaque depicting roses, blossoms, and foliage in soft pastel tones, mounted within an ornate gilt metal surround with rocaille-style detailing.
The case opens to a fitted interior lined in rich red silk velvet, housing two original cut crystal perfume bottles with matching faceted stoppers. Each bottle features star-cut bases and angled shoulders, consistent with mid-19th-century French crystal production. The front retains its original working lock and decorative key escutcheon.
The underside bears a partially intact retailer’s paper label reading “ALPH. GIROUX Successeurs”, indicating association with the prestigious Parisian luxury firm known for high-quality decorative objects and cased goods. Construction, materials, and finish align with luxury personal objects produced for the Parisian bourgeoisie during the Second Empire.
3.75"h x 6.25"w x 3.5"d
3.75"h x 6.25"w x 3.5"d
Perfume caskets such as this were produced during the height of the Second Empire, when personal luxury items became fashionable expressions of refinement and modern domestic elegance. Firms like Alph. Giroux, successors to Alphonse Giroux, supplied elite clientele with luxury boxes, writing sets, and decorative objects combining fine craftsmanship, imported materials, and artistic ornamentation.
These caskets were designed to sit atop vanities or dressing tables, serving both functional and decorative roles. The use of lacquer, hand-painted porcelain or enamel plaques, and cut crystal reflects the period’s fascination with surface richness and precision craftsmanship.
Perfume caskets such as this were produced during the height of the Second Empire, when personal luxury items became fashionable expressions of refinement and modern domestic elegance. Firms like Alph. Giroux, successors to Alphonse Giroux, supplied elite clientele with luxury boxes, writing sets, and decorative objects combining fine craftsmanship, imported materials, and artistic ornamentation.
These caskets were designed to sit atop vanities or dressing tables, serving both functional and decorative roles. The use of lacquer, hand-painted porcelain or enamel plaques, and cut crystal reflects the period’s fascination with surface richness and precision craftsmanship.
Mid–Late 19th Century, Napoléon III period (circa 1860–1880)
Mid–Late 19th Century, Napoléon III period (circa 1860–1880)
Ebonized wood, painted porcelain, brass, crystal, silk, velvet
Ebonized wood, painted porcelain, brass, crystal, silk, velvet
France (Paris)
France (Paris)
- Visible surface wear to ebonized wood consistent with age
- Brass shows expected rubbing and losses
- Interior silk shows wear and discoloration from use
- Retailer’s paper label to underside is fragmentary but legible in part
- One bottle shows interior residue from historic perfume contents
- Working key present, unclear if original
- Visible surface wear to ebonized wood consistent with age
- Brass shows expected rubbing and losses
- Interior silk shows wear and discoloration from use
- Retailer’s paper label to underside is fragmentary but legible in part
- One bottle shows interior residue from historic perfume contents
- Working key present, unclear if original