Bidspirit auction | A FRENCH ONYX AND GILT

A FRENCH ONYX AND GILT BRONZE-MOUNTED CASKET, LATE 19TH CENTURY - A fine French domed casket crafted from translucent banded white onyx, richly mounted with ornate gilt bronze appliqués. The rectangular body with a domed lid is constructed from beautifully veined white and pale honey-colored onyx, polished to a smooth finish. It is adorned with applied gilt bronze Gothic Revival-style mounts, featuring intricate openwork quatrefoil and trefoil motifs, detailed foliate engraving, and a central lock plate at the front. Caskets of this type were popular in France during the Napoleon III period, prized as luxurious objects for the storage of jewelry or personal treasures. The combination of translucent stone and finely chased gilt bronze reflects the 19th-century taste for opulent materials and revivalist design. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions does not ship in-house. A list of recommended shippers will be provided. Dimensions: 7 3/4 x 4 1/8 x 6 in., (19.7 x 10.5 x 15 cm.) Condition: The onyx shows natural veining and some visible internal inclusions and stress lines, which are typical for this material. A notable visible crack or fissure is present near the front right side (below the lid), though it appears stable from the image. Minor edge wear, tiny chips, or rough spots may be present at corners or along the base, but no major losses are visible.