Audot-vervelle- Napoleon III Marquetry Jewelry Box

MAISON AUDOT-VERVELLE, in Paris-Précieux Jewelery box in an elegantly scalloped shape with light diapered cut sides, within reserves underlined with simple or split gilt brass nets, with a virtuoso "A la Reine" marquetry. Illuminating the circumference and the substantially domed lid of the box, it unites in a delicate fishnet motifs of quartefeuilles, alternating quatrefoils in cut brass studded with a pattern of pellets and mother-of-pearl trefoil crosses standing out against an ebonized wood background. Gilded bronze listellos - the top punctuated with flowerets and stylized plant stems - marry the undulating profile of this exquisite work of fine cabinetmaking dedicated to the "so delicate hands", to the "so practiced eyes" of the female sex. Opened, it reveals an interior lined with bronze moire. On the reverse is affixed with an inked stamp the stamp of one of the most distinguished Parisian representatives of this "miniature cabinetmaking, adorned with satin, velvet and moire" of which in the Second Empire "we demand variety and perfection" in order to to "give complete satisfaction" to the clientele of "these infinitely small, just as capricious as their buyers": "AUDOT/ Ance Mson VERVELLE/ Fabrique de Nécessaires (...) / Paris/Rue Nve-Montmorency-Feydeau". "We are in the presence of the essential nothings, caskets, necessary, work tables, games tables, liquor cellars (..), what do I know? All the skilled workers contribute to it, all styles, all whims combined, intertwined come and join hands in this bazaar of coquetry; we don't know where to fix our eyes, where to make a choice; we walk from surprise to surprise; it's a summary of great cabinetmaking, of great marquetry; it's the triumph of patient intelligence applied to exotic woods, precious materials and common metals. How many amateurs who, overwhelmed under the spell of so much luxury and sumptuousness, went there to console themselves with the objects displayed by the Audots, the Giroux, the Jeanselme and the Tahan". These few lines written by Léon Brisse in his Album of the Universal Exhibition dedicated to M.Le Prince Napoléon (Paris, 1856-1859, p. 283) simultaneously highlight the fame acquired by this distinguished Parisian cabinetmaker "specialized in the manufacture Necessaries of travel, toilets and cabinetmaking of taste and fantasy", the quality of execution, the refinement of its small parts in which -like those of its predecessor, Alexandre-Louis Vervelle (1800- 1856)- "tortoiseshell, ebony, rosewood, rosewood bend to the most capricious and original forms; copper, ivory, mother-of-pearl are encrusted in designs of the happiest effect " (J.Burat, 1844). They fully match the Jewelery Box presented, of which we can only emphasize the precious formal and ornamental elegance. Maison AUDOT-VERVELLE- Established at "1, rue Neuve-Montmorency-Feydeau near the Passage des Panoramas", this House was born in 1854 during the merger of Maison H.Audot- rewarded at the London Exhibition (1851) of two "priz médals" located until then at 81, rue Richelieu with the Maison Vervelle founded in 1804 by Jean-François Vervelle and brilliantly taken over by his son, Alexandre-Louis (1800-1856), "Supplier to the King" praised during Exhibitions of Products of French Industry (1824, 1844) and laureate of honorary prizes at the Universal Exhibition of 1855 for "his industry of small artistic cabinetmaking furniture" bearing the stamp of good taste". In 1855, rapporteurs and chroniclers of the "Fashion and Fancy Objects" section (Class 23) of the Universal Exhibition in Paris noted with regard to the creations of M.Audot: "The Maison Audot is not a new house. The name of M.Vervelle was known in the artistic, industrial and elegant world, before M.Audot collected this heritage and this honorable clientele. composed of wood from the islands, and a skilful fusion of a thousand materials that he worked with the greatest happiness. Mr. Audot pursued these antecedents without reproach (..), and we can say that such a reputation could not fall into better hands". Subsequently (1866), based at the same address, Maison Audot continued its specialty under the name of H.Audot-Dellongeville. Parisian work of fine luxury cabinetmaking from the second half of the 19th century century of the Napoleon III period. Signed by Maison Audot-Vervelle between 1855-1860.