antique 19th c French beveled glass Jewel Casket ~ view of Grenoble

An unexpected find - and an unusual item for my site - this antique French jewel casket I stumbled upon during my last trip to Istanbul, Turkey. I fell in love with its sweet size, the thick beveled glass sides, the ornate gilded metal frame and the fact that though tattered, its original tufted silk "pillow" is still present. A memento of someone's trip to Grenoble, France in the 1890s or early 1900s, it features a view of the Pont de la Porte de France, which was built by non-other than Gustave Eiffel...

Size / Weight: 2 5/8" tall by 2 1/2" wide and 2 1/2" long; 156.9 grams (FYI)

Hallmarks / Date: not marked; 1890s-early 1900s

Condition: very good vintage with its scenic decoration in very good shape, the gilding almost intact on the metal frame, the original cushion present yet worn as shown; there are a total of three shallow, old flakes off the beveled edge located in two of the glass panels, the one in the lid also associated with a missing metal prong; the little tab that helps secure the closed lid is also missing but the lid stays pretty much closed thanks to its weight - all in all, a beautiful antique jewel casket that has made it to our time with but a few superficial scars

Inv# 15961