Max Le Verrier - Storage trunk - Bronze - Secret Book - France

Max Le Verrier – Bronze patinated display case “Secret Book” – Ship figurehead decor

Bronze art • Trompe-l'œil book • Relief maritime décor • Signed Max Le Verrier

A superb small decorative bronze box patinated, signed Max Le Verrier, taking the original form of an old book with a ribbed spine.

This charming art object, also called “Secret Book” or secret book, conceals an interior compartment for storing jewelry, small precious objects or personal keepsakes.

The cover features a remarkable maritime bas-relief with an ancient sailing ship, evoking a galleon or historic vessel, sailing on a rough sea.

The decoration is particularly refined: deployed sails, rigging, figures on board, stylized waves and elegant volute ornaments framing the composition.

The edge reproduces the pages of an ancient book, while the back imitates a traditional ribbed binding.

The dark patina, contrasting with the golden reliefs of the bronze, admirably emphasizes the details of this composition.

The display case opens thanks to an articulated lid, unveiling a compartment entirely lined with green felt.

Signature “M. Le Verrier” appears beneath the display case.

“Max Le Verrier” (1891-1973), renowned French sculptor and publisher of fine art bronzes, world-renowned, particularly known for his Art Deco creations.

Characteristics:

-Artist: Max Le Verrier (1891-1973)
-Type: secret box, jewelry box, trompe-l’œil book
-Material: bronze with dark patina and gilded reliefs
-Decor: ancient sailing ship, maritime inspiration
-Circa: 1930-1950
-Dimensions: 14.5 × 10.5 × 3 cm
-Weight: 922 grams
-Interior: green felt
-Closure: articulated lid

Condition: good overall appearance, with patina and signs of use. The interior felt shows some marks and color variations visible in the photographs.

A beautiful collectible object, as original as it is decorative, ideal in a library, on a vintage desk or in a curiosity cabinet.

Very carefully protected shipping!

A bit of history:

Max Le Verrier (1891-1973) was a French sculptor and designer, an important figure in the decorative arts of the Art Deco period. Trained notably at the Geneva School of Fine Arts, he founded his own workshop in Paris in the 1920s and developed a significant production of decorative objects: sculptures, statuettes, lamps, catch-alls, ashtrays, bookmarkers and desk items.

His work is characterized by stylized forms, strong reliefs and particularly meticulous patination work, often green, brown or gold. He works bronze but also various artistic alloys, which allow him to edition his creations in several copies.

Today, Max Le Verrier is especially sought after for his Art Deco creations from the 1920s-1930s, notably his feminine and animal sculptures, but also for his small decorative items like the present catch-all that testify to the wide diversity of his production.