Charming Box - What is it?

Hello!
I wonder if anyone has insight into what this little box might be all about?

Wood w inlay and a metal base.

Family myth is that it is 18th C French??

 

I'd think turn of the 19th/20th centuries more likely. Jugendstil. Could be French but movement came out of Germany. Let's see what others think.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jugendstil

Debora

 

Agree with Debora on date, early 20thc, nothing French about it IMO either.

 

So so interesting!!

 

This is more elaborate than yours but same movement/same period. (To my eye.)

https://www.pamono.eu/german-art-nouveau-rosewood-box-for-erhard-soehne

Debora

 

Very cool - thank you for finding this!

 

D — look what I found, following your lead...
The same box! From a site called Artnet...

 

That would be a good attribution. A poor translation but interesting information from this source:

"Erhard & Sőhne had the world-patent for the manufacture of brass-inlay in 1904. Since then they designed and manufactured high-quality brass-inlay boxes and items which represented very unique and noble German Art-Nouveau style at its peak."

I don't know if all their pieces were signed but you should check carefully. Marks are included in the link.

https://oldcopper.org/makers/erhard.php

Debora