Antique French gilt-metal and guilloché enamel casket

With its small size, this charming box brings together beauty and utility, combining shining gilt with eye-catching coloured enamel.

Encircling the central body of the casket are six separated panels of bright blue guilloché enamel, which peek through from behind a gilt-metal lattice. The sections are separated by protruding half-moon handles, which are decorated with beaded borders. Additional gilt-metal beading adorns the lid, as well as the upper and lower edges of the main body. The casket stands on six ball feet, which are adjoined by further gilt-metal beading. In the centre of the box sits a key, the handle of which is decorated with Rococo-esque scrolling forms. The key sits inside an ornamented escutcheon that has a scallop shell design.

The hinged lid of the casket features the same blue enamel beneath a gilt-metal lattice. In the middle of the lid, the letters ‘ANR’ are engraved within a scrolling cartouche, likely the initials of the individual for whom this object was made.

The casket's interior is lined with ribbed cream silk, adding further luxury to this ornate piece.

With its bright colour palette and interesting Rococo decoration, this unusual object exemplifies the fine functional objects being made in France during the 19^th century.