1 of 10

Antique French TAHAN Boulle Serpentine Jewelry Chest, 12" Box

$2,595List Price

About the Item

The signature excites anyone who knows their French - their French maker marks, that is. TAHAN is perhaps the cabinetry and luxury box maker equivalent to HERMES, or Cartier, or Tiffany Co., and is among only a handful of makers whose work is so valued in France, dealers are known to buy damaged boxes just for the TAHAN lock plate. One can't be too careful, and must always match that name with the superior quality of the box, to be sure you have not paid premium price for only the name plate. To be sure, this large jewelry box is of the quality we're used to from TAHAN, and the lock plate is serpentine in form to match the shape of the coffret, casket or chest to which it was originally mounted. The work on this elegant large box is simply stunning. Boulle, the process of marquetry of brass and tortoise shell, after that invention of craft by André-Charles Boulle (11 November 1642 – 28 February 1732), is achieved here with exquisite skill and the end result is a fine quality boulle chest without a bit of damage or loss to show for its 150 or so years. Yes, this one would date to the Napoleon III era, I believe, making it c. 1850-70, or perhaps slightly earlier. Even the interior is the original old silk, and is beautifully preserved. This one is truly a museum quality piece. Lesser ones can be found in the Louvre Apartments (home to the last Emperor of France, Louis Napoleon, or better known simply as Napoleon III. Also in museums around the world. The only boulle work that might exceed this in quality and value would be that done by Andre' Charles Boulle, himself. Note the size of the casket is nearly 11.5" x 8.5" and 4.5" tall. Extra large by French coffret standards.

Very good to excellent condition for age and type, there are not lifts or losses, not a single bit of the old shell is missing, as you can see from our all-around photos. Intricately worked, the brass is also engraved. Worked on a casket of mahogany, the quality is evident both inside and out. The name plate confirms that this is the work of TAHAN, Paris, a most highly respected firm in Paris. The single tiny flaw to note is that when the lock is not engaged, there is a slight lift to the front of the casket. We've shown it from the side so you can see what we mean. I know I have a key to fit this casket, too, but it's dropped out somewhere and we've yet to locate it. Will do so, for we know the buyer will wish to have it and to be able to lock this superb casket. Truly a museum piece!

Dimensions:
Height: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Width: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Depth: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Napoleon III (c. 1850-70)
Condition:
Very good to excellent condition, detailed in listing text above and in our images. Please refer to both.
Seller Location:
South Coast, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: 1211boulebox41stDibs: U120119918179

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Kingwood Bird s-Eye Maple Jewelry Casket Box Tahan Paris

$2,090

H 9.5 in W 25 in D 17 in

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Boulle Boîte À Bijouax, Signed Tahan

By Jean-Pierre Tahan

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A spectacular and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XIV st. Boulle Boîte à Bijoux, signed "Tahan - Fournisseur du Roi" (Royal cabinetmake...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Louis XIV St. Boulle Boîte À Bijouax, Signed Tahan

$15,800

H 2.75 in W 12.25 in D 8.5 in

Large Antique French Boulle Napoleon III Marquetry Box

By Audige

Located in Vilnius, LT

Antique 19th century French Boulle/Napoleon III marquetry box. The wooden box is decorated with inlaid brass and tortoiseshell and red silk textile inside. Including key. Signed: Aud...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Brass

Large Antique French Boulle Napoleon III Marquetry Box

$4,564

H 4.14 in W 12.6 in D 8.86 in

Antique Jewelry Box Miniature Chest with Inlay

Located in Boca Raton, FL

Antique miniature chest of drawers it jewelry box in 4 drawers. Extensively inlayed fruitwood on walnut wood. In floral design , on all sides.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Jewelry Box Miniature Chest with Inlay

$1,500

H 17 in W 14 in D 8 in

19th Century French Boulle Box

Located in Pittsburgh, PA

This beautiful inlaid brass and shell Boulle-work lidded box is in very good condition. It retains its original velvet lining and key.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Boulle Box

$690

H 2.25 in W 7.75 in D 3.25 in

French Gilt Bronze and Pink Porcelain Jewellery Box by Tahan

By Tahan Paris

Located in London, GB

French gilt bronze and pink porcelain jewellery box by Tahan. French, late 19th Century Measures: height 13cm, width 18cm, depth 13cm. This fine jewellery casket by the French m...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Ormolu

French Gilt Bronze and Pink Porcelain Jewellery Box by Tahan

$4,823

H 5.12 in W 7.09 in D 5.12 in

Jewelry Box French

Located in New York, NY

An antique French brass ormolu and velvet jewelry box, Rococo design style, circa late-19th century, France. Box is perforated brass ormolu (ormolu has a design of urns, leaves and f...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Jewelry Box French

$1,072 Sale Price

35% Off

H 2.75 in W 8.44 in D 5.63 in

WMF Box Jewelry Chest Antique Art Nouveau Silvered Germany

Located in Berlin, DE

Extremely rare WMF jewelry box Art Nouveau circa 1900 silvered chest with floral decors very high quality.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Metal

WMF Box Jewelry Chest Antique Art Nouveau Silvered Germany

$1,429

H 3.94 in W 7.88 in D 4.34 in

Antique Jewelry Box, Small Chest, Silver Ornament, circa 1900

Located in Greven, DE

Beautiful box with silver ornament plate at the top. The wood box ist painted black and the colour is in a good condition.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metallic Thread

Antique Jewelry Box, Small Chest, Silver Ornament, circa 1900

$540

H 5.12 in W 7.49 in D 6.3 in

French Mid-19th Century Boulle Jewelry Box with Mirror and Perfume Bottle.

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A refined French Boulle jewelry box from the mid-19th century, exquisitely decorated with intricate brass inlay in the classic arabesque pattern typical of the Napoleon III period. T...

Category