Gilt-Tooled Leather Box with Bronze Relief & Gold Silk Interior

A bronze relief of mounted riders and gathered figures sits at the center of this leather-covered box. Gilt scrolls, tiny flowers, and trailing vines form several borders around the scene, their fine lines standing out against the warm chestnut leather. Lift the lid and the palette shifts to a rich gold silk lining.

The decoration borrows from the vocabulary of fine bookbinding, with narrow gilt borders framing a larger central panel. The raised scene gives the lid a sculptural quality, while the shallow lined interior makes it a lovely place for letters, photographs, or keepsakes.

Details

• Origin — Possibly European. Maker and country unconfirmed.
• Period — Undated. The ornament is consistent with late nineteenth- or early twentieth-century revival design.
• Materials — Leather exterior, bronze relief inset, and gold silk lining
• Decoration — Mounted figures in relief, gilt foliate scrollwork, and patterned borders
• Form — Rectangular box with a hinged lid and shallow lined interior
• Condition — Overall good condition with rubbing and age-related wear to the leather, especially along the edges. The silk shows scattered marks and several small tears.

Measurements: 13" L x 9" W x 3.25" H