Help with a mystery box please

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by AnaK, Oct 31, 2024 at 9:26 AM.

  1. AnaK

    AnaK Member

    My mother has had this small box for a long time, and asked me for help identifying it, but I am completely lost as to what it is and wanted to ask for your expert help please. Given the painting/title on the top, Napoleon a Smolensk, the box would appear to be French? 19th century? It is made out of a translucent material, pressed to be inlaid with the metal strips. You can see it clearly on the back side where the metal strips are almost all lost. On the front panels an additional top overlay of the material is still remaining, creating a seamless, even panel appearance with the metal strips. The painting at the top was done on top of the metal strips/material. Any suggestions on the material, technique and the use? pressed heated horn? some form of celluloid or resin?
    The painting itself is interesting as well, could not find the original. During the battle of Smolensk Napoleon burnt nearly the entire city down, and would hardly be greeted as a liberator by the Russian women. Is this an idyllic scene to celebrate his birthday, which happened to fall on the battle days? Much appreciate your thoughts!

    IMG_0357.jpg IMG_0358.jpg IMG_0360.jpg IMG_0360.jpg IMG_0359.jpg
     
    Roaring20s, wlwhittier and Bronwen like this.
  2. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

  3. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

    How big is it?
     
    Bronwen likes this.
  4. AnaK

    AnaK Member

    Bronwen likes this.
  5. AnaK

    AnaK Member

    I am researching Vernis Martin method, which this box very much matches! apart from the frame of the inlaid metal strips. I have not seen it on any other vernis martin boxes or in the method description. Given the date of the subject matter (1812), it has to be 19th century rather than 18th.
     
  6. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Please provide us with the dimensions as requested above.

    Debora
     
  7. AnaK

    AnaK Member

    it is 8.5cm/6.5cm/4cm high
     
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