Box - Charred wood - Napoleon III box

Old Napoleon III container (1870) in lacquered wood, boulle marquetry with tortoiseshell chips and brass.
A beautiful and refined jewelry box from the second half of the 19th century in lacquered wood with brass edging, on the lid a rich boulle inlay forming a large medallion, with brass inlays and borders on all sides. The front section is divided into two doors, both with functioning locks that engage in the lid, and the original key that fits both is still present. The interior of the chest contains a mirror under the lid and the inside has been finely lined in gold. The piece is in good condition, a lovely patina of time makes it even more fascinating, slight signs of wear but truly acceptable, a small loss of the black lacquer in one corner and the absence of the brass outline around one of the two locks—two small flaws that do not really compromise the beauty of the object and which I have highlighted in the last two photographs.