NAPOLEON III WRITING SLOPE OR BOX. MARQUETRY. FRANCE, 19TH CENTURY.

Napoleon III box. Marquetry. France, 19th century. Rectangular wooden box with a flat lid and supported on circular legs that has a front opening with a key closure and a hinged folding top lid. Inside, there is a flat horizontal space with the edges highlighted with two lines of clear marquetry (the same as the lower area of the lid and the interior of the folding part of the front), and three drawers under it, also highlighted with details clear. These types of pieces were used to contain different items (writing messages, jewelry, documents, etc.) either during trips or to be placed on a table and used there. The exterior decoration, centered on the front and top, consists of delicate compositions with a plant theme and a strong classicist influence made with wood of different tones: shields, flowers, scrolls, cartouches, leaves, etc. The sides of the box are highlighted only with wooden lines in a lighter tone. In general, it is intended that the decorative elements, arranged with harmony and symmetry in various tones and light colors (rosewood, fruit trees, etc.), highlight the dark tone of the rosewood. This type of boxes or chests were very common throughout the 19th century in Europe. In the time of Napoleon III (emperor between 1852 and 1870), they were usually decorated with both Boulle-type marquetry and wood, highlighting works from houses such as the Maison Berthet & Peret (work preserved in private collections).

· Size: 58,5x38,5x22 cms