French Art Nouveau / Gothic Revival Jewellery Casket in...

French Art Nouveau / Gothic Revival Jewellery Casket, ca. 1920 A large and highly decorative French jewellery casket dating from the early 20th century, combining a wooden structure with richly worked repoussé metal decoration, gilt-metal elements, polychrome enamel and coloured hardstone cabochons. The rectangular wooden casket is extensively covered with hand-worked embossed metal panels. The decoration features elaborate scrolling foliage, floral motifs and symmetrical ornamental compositions, together with prominent Gothic-inspired crosses. The hinged lid is particularly elaborate, centred by a large circular polychrome cross surrounded by geometric and floral decoration. The lid is further enhanced by gilt-metal mounts and several green and blue-green cabochons with natural-looking veining. The sides and front are decorated with extensive repoussé foliate ornamentation, with additional gilt elements and cabochon-mounted panels. The interior retains its original wooden construction. The piece has a distinctive combination of Gothic Revival and Art Nouveau decorative influences, characteristic of French decorative arts of the early 20th century. Mark and provenance The underside bears an original UNIS-FRANCE paper label, clearly showing the numbers 18 and 5041. UNIS-FRANCE was a French collective trade and origin mark established in 1916 to identify products manufactured in France. The number 18 is associated with the French bronze manufacturers' syndicate, while 5041 corresponds to the manufacturer's registration number within the UNIS-FRANCE system. The mark therefore provides important evidence of French manufacture, but it should not be interpreted as a silver hallmark or as the name of the manufacturer. No individual maker's signature has been identified on the piece, so no specific attribution to an individual designer or workshop is made. Materials Wood Repoussé and embossed metal Gilt-metal decoration Polychrome enamel Coloured hardstone/cabochon elements The metal has not been chemically tested, so it is not described as solid silver. The decoration appears to include silver-coloured metal sheets combined with gilt-metal applications. Condition The casket is presented in its original antique condition and shows significant age-related wear and damage. There are visible losses and cracks to some of the enamel decoration and cabochons, deformation and lifting of several metal panels, areas where the underlying wood is exposed, oxidation/patina and various dents and surface marks. Some decorative elements are incomplete or damaged. The interior is also worn and shows signs of age and previous use. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description. Dimensions Height: approx. 18 cm Width: approx. 35 cm Depth: approx. 22 cm Weight: approx. 2 kg Country of manufacture: France Period: Early 20th century, circa 1915–1930 Style: Art Nouveau / Gothic Revival Type: Jewellery / decorative casket

Estimate:£152.3

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