Rare and exceptional ormolu mounted malachite jewellery casket

This especially fine jewellery casket is crafted from malachite and ormolu, or gilt bronze, in the Louis XVI style—the malachite being a later, beneficial veneer. The casket is bounded by ormolu borders wrought in a foliate manner, while each side is set to the centre with an ornate assemblage of classicising forms—the front mount functioning as an escutcheon and the side mounts as handles. The flared base is set with foliate ormolu mounts and is raised by four intricately cast feet, one to each corner.

The casket features twin side doors and a top that lifts with the hinged front, all of which open to reveal an intricate internal compartment fitted to store jewellery: the insides of the side doors feature twin shelves set with velvet cushions, while the internal floor includes removable covers that lift to reveal further velvet-lined compartments.

The casket is a beautiful—and functional—example of 19^th Century French design.