Featured French Ormolu cut crystal Jewelry casket

Hello friends! In the non-profit thrift shop where I volunteer, I saw this on the housewares shelf for $8.00 and grabbed it to reprice it! I recognize it as French Ormolu.

I have priced an 1840 French Ormolu Pocket watch casket in the past and sold it before I could put it in the case!

Christie’s describes the cut as wreath cut crystal. I don’t know why!

I can not find a good research page to research the age nor can I find one just like it.

Dimensions:3-1/2” tall.
4-1/4” wide.
2-3/4” deep

Can you help me with the age

















Just for grins, here is the 1840’s(?) pocket watch casket I sold for $90.

 

The country of origin mark "Made in France" is almost certainly going to make it 20th century.

Debora

 

You don't give size but appears to be a cigarette box. 1960s I'd think. Like this set.

Debora

 

Apologies. Of course, you gave size. I just didn't give your post a careful enough reading. Mea culpa.

Debora

 

You are not crazy! I added it after you mentioned it. I had the dimensions written down. Just forgot!

 

Oh! Thank you for letting me know. (I thought I'd
made a mistake which would have been so out of
character.)

Debora

 

Not to be a "downer" but that looks more like pressed glass,nor would I call it French Ormolu (as I would think of it) .I think Deb was spot on with the age. And that watch case(?) is more 1880s than 1840s,and Im astonished you got $90 for it ! But Im just an enthusiast,wait for the more knowledgeable to chime in.

 

I agree with what the others have said. But I am not an expert with this sort of item.

 

It's very pretty, LOVE IT !!! ... Joy.

 

It's the type of accessory that was used in 1960s living rooms with French Provincial furniture.

Debora

 

I would say 8 bucks for this in a charity thrift shop might be a tad on the light side, but not too far off, then again - I'm a cheapo - LOL.

 

Watch cases tend to sell at higher prices at least partly because they have crossover appeal to watch collectors. $90 doesn't really surprise me although I would have expected it to go a little lower. I agree that your cigarette box does not say ormolu to me. I expect ormolu to be much more ornate. The cigarette box might fetch $30 here in the Midwest. They are still popular accessories and can be repurposed as jewelry caskets. JMHO. Good luck!
Don

 

You all are so wonderful!! So full of experience and knowledge! Thank you!

 

I think the "made in France" stamp is a good sign and suggests a better vintage piece.

If you google "clear glass France hinged box" and/or "clear glass hinged box france ormolu", you might find your piece. If the glass is chip free, I think a good deal at $8.

I sold a larger version (pretty similar) on Ebay about 5 years ago and did pretty well, also 20th C.

 

I have to agree that the MADE IN FRANCE mark probably means that this is a level up from many of the look-alikes out there. Some of these sell for a rather decent amount, so I'd be cautious about selling it for $8 until you know more about it.

Just for the heck of it, here's a really nice one from Baccarat. (No, I'm not saying the one shown above is Baccarat...) I've even seen some described as "similar to Baccarat" - whether they really are, or not.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-baccarat-french-crystal-1756405476

 

good point. and for people that also research on French sites another - general - warning. whenever you see a "dlg" before a name in the discription then ALERT. it's the widely used abbreviation for "dans le goût de" "in the manner/taste of".

 

It's very pretty!

 

'Ormolu' is a method of gilding involving mercury. Extremely unlikely it was used for this piece.