A Napoleon III ormolu-mounted 'Boulle' coffer on stand

AFTER THE MODEL BY ANDRÉ-CHARLES BOULLE, CIRCA 1870

Details

A Napoleon III ormolu-mounted 'Boulle' coffer on stand
After the model by André-Charles Boulle, Circa 1870
The hinged rectangular top centred by a satyr mask and cartouche with a handle, opening to reveal an interior lined with yellow silk and silver trimming, the front centred to the top by a scrolling cartouche escutcheon covered by a hinged female mask, the sides each with a cartouche centred by a female mask and a handle, on a rectangular spreading platform, above a frieze drawer centred by a satyr mask with a handle, the sides each with a female mask, on four square tapering legs joined by a shaped stretcher centred by an urn with a flame finial, on four toupie feet
Overall: 47½ in. (121 cm.) high; 28½ in. (72.5 cm.) wide; 21 in. (53 cm.) deep

Lot Essay

This coffer on stand is a copy of one of the celebrated models created by André- Charles Boulle (1642-1732) circa 1700. Called 'coffres de toilette' in Mariette's folio of engravings, such coffers are mentioned in inventories of Boulle's clients as well as in many sales during the 18th Century. In 1702, 'two caskets with their Boulle marquetry stands embellished with gilt-bronze mounts, 500 livres' were mentioned in the Moulle collection.

Similar coffers on stand are now at Blenheim Palace, in Schloss Moritzburg, near Dresden, and in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu.

More from The 19th Century Interior

View All