Bidspirit auction | A MAGNIFICENT FRENCH ENAMELED AND

A MAGNIFICENT FRENCH ENAMELED AND GILT-BRONZE CASKET, REIGN OF NAPOLEON III - A beautiful and elaborate French Chinoiserie casket, produced and cast at the Susse Fonderie in Paris during the reign of Napoleon III. The casket is of wood and finely decorated with various floral and geometric motifs in cloisonné enamel and openwork gilt-bronze throughout the body and lid of the casket. Twelve amethyst cabochons are adorned along the central line of the body on all sides. Gilt-bronze caryatides furnish the corners and the entire casket is raised upon legged supports decorated with dogs and grapes also made of gilt-bronze. A the center of the lid resides a crest with initials surmounted by a Ducal crown. The lid operates on guilt hinges and can be locked with its original key. There is a hidden drawer at the bottom of the front side of the casket that cannot be accessed without the risk of damaging the item. The Susse Fonderie mark resides within the drawer. Based in Paris, France, the Susse Fondeur, or Susse Frères, began producing bronzes in the first half of the nineteenth century, under the direction of brothers Victor (1806-60) and Amédée (1808-80) Susse. The foundry made ornaments for clocks, candelabras, and vases as well as bronze statues. After the death of the two brothers, it remained a family-run business and expanded to become a world-renowned art foundry. Paris, France, 19th century. 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: 12 1/4 x 8 x 7 1/2 in., (31 x 20.3 x 19 cm.) Condition: Excellent with the original key. A single crack on the bottom of the interior. The hidden drawer is inaccessible without risk of damage. Image from previous owner of the manufacturer mark can be provided upon request.