A Napoleon III Brass Inlaid Ebonized Wood Artist’s Box* Alphonse Giroux et Cie, Paris, late 19th century

The lid inlaid with a brass Imperial Crown of Russia, the hinged lid lifting to metal compartments including six watercolor pigment jars; two drawers containing a velvet-lined custom-fitted tray containing six pencils with gilt metal caps (marked 'Brookman & Langdon Manufacturers London' and 'William Langdon') and eleven assorted artist's tools (ten with gilt steel-engraved components, six with tortoiseshell handles); twenty-one paintbrushes (likely later additions); two rosewood drawing aids, a rosewood palette, and a smaller cherry wood palette, with key; the lock mechanism marked 'Alph. Giroux et cie a Paris.'

H: 7 1/4, W: 21 1/4, D: 15 1/4 in. (overall box)

Note

*Please note that some countries and states prohibit the importation of items that contain materials from endangered species, including tortoiseshell and rosewood. Prospective buyers should familiarize themselves with the relevant customs restrictions prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. Freeman's does not provide CITES documentation for import or export.

Provenance

Gift from Duke Radziwill to the Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna in 1875, by repute.

Thence by descent.

Acquired by the Robert Addison Day family in the 1950s.

Thence by descent.

The Estate of Tammis Day, Sula, Montana.

John Moran Auctioneers, Monrovia, California, October 3, 2017, lot 1040.

Private collection, Pennsylvania.