"alphonse Giroux" Ball Marquetry Jewelry Box Early 19th Century

Jewelry box in engraved brass marquetry on a background of tortoiseshell called "Boulle" on all sides, signed on the lock *Alphonse Giroux in Paris" first third of the 19th century. The lid inlaid with foliated scrolls in engraved brass on a background of red tortoiseshell bearing in the center the initials AG for Alphonse Giroux, reveals four removable compartments and a central compartment lined with red velvet with original crosspieces. Curved front and sides, front uprights decorated with original gilded bronzes ending with mustache spinning top feet at the front and spinning top feet at the back. Original lock signed Alphonse Giroux in Paris opening with its key. Original mercury gilded bronze trim (cleaned by our workshop) *Maison Alphonse Giroux, "the merchant of princes", is a major Parisian manufacturer of luxury furniture and accessories, whose products were intended for an aristocratic and bourgeois clientele, established from 1799 at no. 7, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré, then Boulevard des Capucines. Founded by François-Simon-Alphonse Giroux under the name "A. GIROUX in PARIS", it was taken over by the Giroux children and remained active under the name "Alphonse Giroux et Cie" until 1867, when management was taken over by Ferdinand Duvinage. The store founded by Giroux père originally often changed its description in the directory, and one can guess a very diversified activity. Specializing in paper and art supplies, it was also a restorer of paintings and offered novelty and writing objects: it sold writing desks, inkwells, and also toys. Indeed, on June 6, 1818, he filed the patent for the kaleidoscope, which he also called the "transfigurator". This new toy was all the rage and Alphonse Giroux attracted a clientele in demand for luxury gifts. The store was successful from the Consulate onwards, so much so that it was already important during the Restoration. Thus, Louis XVIII asked Alphonse Giroux to make a New Year's gift for the children of France: a gold carriage preserved at the Carnavalet Museum. The mother-of-pearl horses were harnessed in gold, and the carriage was decorated with emeralds and glazed with rock crystal.