Erotic Automatic Matchbox with Mechanical Miniature France, early 20th century

An exquisite automatic matchbox crafted in silver with gilding. The rectangular body, decorated with guilloché geometric engraving, conceals beneath its lid a miniature mechanical scene in the refined Belle Époque manner. When the lid is closed, the mechanism is automatically wound; when opened, it activates a relief composition of two figures in an intimate interior, partially gilt and silvered. The movement of the figures creates the illusion of a living tableau, typical of the “tableau mécanique” genre — a miniature theatre animated by a spring-driven mechanism. Produced in limited numbers, such objects were prized by collectors and gentlemen’s salons as examples of witty and elegant mechanical art.

Dimensions: Height 6 cm; width 3 cm; depth 1.5 cm.
Material: Silver, gilding, spring mechanical movement.
Weight: 57 g.
Condition: At the time of cataloguing, the mechanism is functional and winds automatically when the lid is closed. Some small decorative movable elements are missing. Minor patina and traces of age.
Provenance: Private European collection.