VICTORIAN BLACK BOX - 19th century French paper mâché box with decor authentic of rooster, birds and chrysanthemums
19th century square paper mâché box with hinged lid and decor of rooster fowl birds.
19th century square paper mâché box with hinged lid and decor of rooster, fowl birds, butterfly and chrysanthemums.
This hinged box was decorated with a lovely farmyard scene of birds in a garden. Standing in front of white flowering chrysanthemums and wispy flowers are three birds: a splendid rooster and a pheasant leaning towards a small quail on the ground. A small white butterfly in the top left corner complete the composition. The scene was finely executed in different shades of gold, copper, silver, pink and white.
Pairs of small rounded brass nail can be seen at the top of the lid where the hinges are, adding some pretty detailing.
The interior was lacquered in a brownish oxblood color into which small gold tone metallic speckles are embedded, as in some Japanese lacquerware, and shows the texture of the paper mâché underneath.
The box is 7 authentic 5/8" square by 1 1/2" high. The interior is 7" square by 1 /4" deep. The box is in very good condition.
FYI: Extremely popular in France and the rest of Europe in the mid 19th century, these objects are typical of the Second Empire and are called Chinoiseries because of their Chinese or Japanese inspired designs. The fabrication process included steam which helped soften a mixture of paper, cardboard, rags and glue. The material was then poured into moulds. After cooking in linen oil, the pieces were sanded till smooth. Three to eighteen layers of lacquer where then applied before highly skilled artists painted these beautiful scenes.
These objects which were light were yet very sturdy. Nowadays, the lacquer is often dull. This particular piece was cleaned and has a lovely patina. Please enjoy it and never use wax to shine it. Wax contains solvents which might damage the lacquer!
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