Box - Bronze - Mythological Reliefs

19th-century brass box in Napoleon III style, decorated with reliefs of mythological figures on all sides and kept in generally good condition despite the absence of two screws in the hinge. It is a representative piece of the historicist and ornamental taste of the second half of the 19th century, when this style combined luxury, symbolism and highly detailed craftsmanship.

Aesthetic and construction characteristics

• Made of solid brass, with an aged golden tone characteristic of the era.
• Deep relief decoration on all faces, with mythological motifs that may include idealized human figures, fantastical creatures, garlands and vegetal elements.
• Top with a prominent central composition, surrounded by symmetric patterns typical of the Napoleon III style.
• Front with an ornate lock, designed as both a functional and decorative element.

Napoleon III Style

• It is recognized for its eclecticism, blending classical, Renaissance and Baroque influences.
• Abundant ornamentation predominates, a taste for the symbolic and the pursuit of a luxurious and theatrical appearance.
• This type of box was commonly used as a jewelry box, desk coffer, or decorative piece in bourgeois drawing rooms.

Condition

• The bronze maintains a homogeneous patina, a sign of well-preserved antiquity.
• The reliefs are clearly discernible, with no significant wear.
• The structure is solid and stable.
• Two hinge screws are missing, but the piece retains its integrity and overall functionality.

Historical and Collectors Interest

• Combines artisanal quality, mythological themes and a style highly representative of the Second French Empire.
• Its good condition, together with the richness of the reliefs, makes it an attractive piece for collectors of 19th-century decorative arts.

Insured shipping and careful packaging.