EXCEPTIONAL CHARMING FRENCH SILVER ENAMELED TWO GIRLS’ PORTRAIT DRESSER BOX

Description

EXCEPTIONAL CHARMING FRENCH SILVER ENAMELED TWO GIRLS’ PORTRAIT DRESSER BOX
This is truly an exceptional dresser or trinket box.
The lid has a charming and exceptionally well painted (100% hand painted) enamel portrait of two young girls reading a love letter.
The girl’s dresses are enhanced with blue and purple “foil” under clear enamel that is typical of French Limoges enamel work.
Each rib of the box is further decorated with hand painted white enamel fleur-de-lis and scrolling and each panel is also adorned with hand painted floral sprays in gold, which is all over a lovely ruby red or crimson enamel background.
The box is round with a very attractive spiral scalloped melon-rib or shell pattern formed into the metal.
There is a bit of hand engraving to the silver around the latch & the hinge as well. The box is of a very high quality and precision made.
The piece in my photos is the actual piece you will receive.
This piece has been in my personal collection since the year 2006.
Please be sure to read the “AGE AND CONDITION” and “
Approximate Dimensions”
paragraphs below.
Please also Note: There are some faint dark spots showing in some of my photos, there are from my camera and are not on the box.
This box originally had a gold gilding (vermeil) to the silver.
This has all worn away over time on the outside the box but some of this is still visible on the inside of the box.
The only markings I see on this box are the engraved letters “B B P” in script, which are on the underside of the thumb catch on the lid.
I was very surprised that a box of this obvious quality was unmarked as to metal content, maker, or country of origin, but due to the style of the decoration, I would attribute this box to the country of France.
The way the mountings and the “frame” around the portrait area responded to a polishing cloth, I have no doubt they are silver.
Update 11/8/23
– Today, I took this piece, along with several other pieces, to a very reputable local jeweler for testing.
While the jeweler was unable to say what the specific grade of silver was, this piece did test as silver, which confirmed out belief.
I do my best to describe all items as accurately as possible and to the best of my ability.
Some of my photos may be somewhat lighter or darker than actual to better show detail or color.
However, do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or with requests for additional pictures.
I will get back to you as soon as I am able.
I want your transaction with me to be exactly the way I want mine to be when I am the buyer.
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You can access our store through a link in any of our eBay listings.
Our store has many unique and interesting items in several different categories from 35 years of our dealing and collecting antiques and collectables.
Age and Condition
This piece probably dates to circa 1900.
It is in excellent to near mint condition with a couple of exceptions.
Please look closely at the photos as they are an important part of my description of this item.
One exception is a missing sliver or flake of enamel about 5/8” long from one of the ribs on the bottom part of the box (you can also see one of the minor fractures to the enamel just to the left of the flake) – see the last photo for a close-up of this.
There are also three (by my count) minor fractures to the crimson enamel on the outside of the part of the box as well as three to the inside; all of which are minor, in my opinion, for a piece of this age.
Aside from that there are only some very minor age-related signs of use or wear to the decoration.
I see no dents, dings, splits, or damage to the silver, only a bit of tarnish or discoloration, which is to be expected on a piece of this age.
Really in great condition for a piece of this age.
The box opens, closes, and latches crisply as it should with no problems and the hinge is nice and tight.
Please keep in mind these photos may be blown up at least 8-10 times normal, so anything you see will look 8-10 times larger in the photos than it really is.
Please note: if you see a dark spot in the photos, it is from my camera and is not a mark on the piece.
It will be either just to the right of center towards the bottom or slightly above center on the right side of the photo.
Approximate Dimensions
The box is about 3.75” (9.5 cm) across and sits about 2.25” (5.7 cm) off the table.
The portrait on the lid of the box is about 2.625” (6.6 cm) in diameter.
Approximate Weight
About 8.625 ounces (247 grams).
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PAYMENT, SHIPPING, Insurance & PACKAGING
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INTERNATIONAL BUYERS
The only form of payment I accept from international buyers is Pay Pal.
No exceptions!
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Ebay requires us to report any buyer to them who requests this
.
RETURN POLICY
If for some reason you are unhappy with the item you purchased and would like to return it, please contact me within 14 days to discuss the details.
Refunds will be based on the original selling price of the item only and less any fees charged by eBay.
Buyers to pay all shipping costs both ways unless I substantially misrepresented the item or its condition.
Items must be returned within 30 days of you receiving it and in the same condition as originally shipped.