Coffin - Metal

Antique relief metal box – folk scenes – early 20th century

A particularly antique metal box with richly worked relief decorations, dating from the early 20th century. This decorative little box is around the sides adorned with lively scenes from daily life, executed in a charming, almost storyteller-like style.

All sides and the lid show detailed relief scenes with figures in historical clothing. You can see rural scenes, an interior with people playing or conversing, and scenes reminiscent of traditional Dutch folk tales or genre scenes from the 17th and 18th centuries. Such depictions were widely applied to metal jewelry boxes around 1900, inspired by older engravings and paintings from the Dutch and Flemish Golden Age.

The box is made of stamped metal, a technique that was used on a large scale for decorative objects in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Relief panels were applied to thin sheet metal using embossing dies, after which the objects were often finished with a silvered or tin-like surface. In this case, the box has later been sprayed gray/silver, giving the whole a uniform vintage appearance.

These kinds of boxes often served as tobacco boxes, cigar boxes, sewing boxes, or small storage chests and were popular household items in Europe around 1900–1930. The rich decoration and the narrative character made them not only functional but also decorative.

The interior is simply finished and shows clear signs of use, fitting for an object that may be more than a century old. The exterior remains especially attractive due to the abundant relief details and the historical atmosphere.

A characterful object that will appeal to both collectors of antique implements and lovers of historical decoration.

Dimensions
Width 12.5 cm
Depth 7 cm
Height 4.5 cm

Photos provide a clear view of the quality and are part of the description.

The whole item will be well packed and shipped with tracking. The shipping costs also include packing materials and transportation. Local pickup is possible only when the lot is auctioned for more than €50 and, of course, by arrangement during office hours.

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