BY MAISON GIROUX, THE MARQUETRY BY FERDINAND DUVINAGE, PARIS, CIRCA 1880

Details

A FRENCH ORMOLU AND FRUITWOOD AND CUT-BRASS-INLAID IVORY MARQUETRY CASKET
BY MAISON GIROUX, THE MARQUETRY BY FERDINAND DUVINAGE, PARIS, CIRCA 1880
The interior lined in original tufted blue silk
4 ¼ in. (11 cm.) high, 8 ¾ in. (22.5 cm.) square

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Sale room notice

France currently has restrictions on the sale and commercial movement of all elephant ivory items, including pre-1947 “antique” elephant ivory items. Christie’s is unable to arrange shipments of any elephant ivory lots to France until further guidance is issued by the French authorities. Bidders who intend to ship an ivory lot to France bid at their own risk. A delay or inability to export elephant ivory is not grounds to cancel the purchase of a lot, and buyers remain responsible for all storage charges that accrue in accordance with the Conditions of Sale.

Brought to you by

Dido Penny

dpenny@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2794

Lot Essay

With its sumptuous ivory mosaic decoration, this casket is a fine example of the luxurious objets d'art created by the firm Maison Alphonse Giroux. Founded in Paris in the late 18th century, Maison Giroux quickly evolved into one of the foremost purveyors of objets de luxe with sophisticated clientele including Louis XVIII and Charles X. Under the leadership of Ferdinand Duvinage and his wife, Rosalie-Eléonore-Antoinette, they developed a special technique patented as ‘une mosaïque combiné avec cloisonnement métallique’ which is splendidly manifest in the present lot. These unique objects were first shown at the 1878 Exposition universelle in Paris.

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