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Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena
Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena
Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena
Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena
Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena
Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena
Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena
Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena
Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena
Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena
Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena

Important Ca. 1850 Carved Mother of Pearl & Silver Box Portraying St. Philomena

$ 314.16

Availability: 67 in stock
  • Region of Origin: China
  • Age: 1850
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Type: Boxes
  • Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
  • Primary Material: Mother of Pearl
  • Condition: Original throughout and undamaged. Yellow adhesive residue about edges of base panel.
  • Color: opalescent cream

    Description

    RARE & IMPORTANT SILVER MOUNTED CARVED MOTHER OF PEARL BOX PORTRAYING
    RECUMBENT ST. PHILOMENA
    The gently domed cover of this hexagonal box is titled in precisely incised black inked letters
    St
    Filumena.
    A detailed high relief carving of recumbent Philomena holding a sheaf of (olive?) leaves replicates a circa 1840 painting.  The thick opalescent top panel is secured in an engraved silver bezel continuing to a finely crafted self-stopping barrel hinge.  Walls of the box are decorated with roundels above a beadwork border.  Atypically; the slightly domed bottom is entirely engraved.
    I've owned several early to mid 19th century table and pocket snuff boxes carved of mother of pearl set in silver with tiny rivets, and critically examined numerous examples of closely related forms and construction.  While these boxes are sometimes identified as French, in my opinion, they are unquestionably of Chinese origin crafted for western export.
    This box is exceptional in several aspects
    .  It is larger with much thicker panels.  A titled portrait of Catholic subject matter is a rarity.  In all likelihood, the box was commissioned by a wealthy follower of the recently canonized Saint Philomena.
    Offered in remarkably well preserved original condition.  No damage; displaying wonderful iridescence and silver patina.
    1 1/16" (27mm) high x 2 7/8" (73mm) wide x 2 1/8" (54mm) deep
    CONSCIENTIOUSLY PACKED AND SHIPPED WORLDWIDE