Antique French Mother-of-Pearl Box — Diamond-Quilted Nacre, Silk-Lined Interior, 19th Century
A jewel of French decorative craft, this antique box is encased entirely in diamond-cut tiles of mother-of-pearl, each tile set at 45 degrees and fitted with extraordinary precision to create a continuous quilted lattice across every surface — lid, sides, and front. The nacre shifts through cream, blush pink, soft green, and iridescent violet depending on the light, and no two angles read the same. A small domed nacre button graces the front of the body as the decorative escutcheon, and the box is raised on four original brass ball feet, well-patinated with age.
The interior is lined in a sage green watered silk — the colour perfectly chosen to set off the lustre of the nacre without competing with it. Two original metal hinges are fitted at the back, allowing the lid to open fully and rest open. The white-painted wood carcass beneath is sound and the box closes cleanly.
Mother-of-pearl boxes of this type were made in France throughout the 19th century as luxury dressing table and boudoir accessories, used to hold jewellery, gloves, calling cards, or keepsakes. The diamond-tile format — far more labour-intensive than simple rectangular veneer — was reserved for the finest examples, each tile individually shaped and laid by hand.
The box carries several small repairs consistent with its age, including a small filled spot to the top back of the lid, visible on close inspection. These are honest signs of a long and well-loved life and do not detract from the overall visual impact, which is considerable. A genuinely beautiful and decorative antique object.
Measures 5.25” x 3.25” x 2.5” tall.
