1800’s French Antique Jewelry Box

[lavenderdragonfly23]

2am: my restless mind has an epiphany

Beautiful antique diamonds belong in an antique jewelry box …

And so my search began. Antique beveled ormolu boxes, velvet and satin boxes, gilted leather… I dug a rabbit hole that would impress Flora. A week goes by, auctions, Etsy, eBay, marketplace, Craigslist, local antique shops, I narrowed my search to two IG sellers: Morgane of The Antique Secret and Maria of The Antique Box Atelier. Together they have some of the most exquisite antique boxes out there. A month goes buy, and another…. And one day, scrolling through IG, my heart stopped, then started to race. This was a familiar feeling. I felt it the day I found Flora.

I found my box.

Morgane had my dream box. Just one minor detail… my bridesmaids dresses were a beautiful light aqua silk dupioni … and that’s what I dreamed of on the inside. Morgane immediately recommended Maria for the restoration project. Switching out the fabric, also means Maria can make custom compartments. Once she gets the box and looks it over I will have more of an idea of what she thinks the box needs and what is possible.

I would love to
*restore the existing leather and gilding if needed
*replace the fabric inside and have her make some custom compartments
*I would love a combination of silk dupioni and velvet - aqua accents or all aqua I’m not sure.

I would love your thoughts on compartment layout and fabric ideas. I’m open to almost anything. Two tone, one tone, print, no print. Help me shop, please!

But for the time being… here she is

Late 1800’s french leather gilded jewelry box
Bronze sculpture of a woman collecting fruit/flowers, by M. Jampolsky

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[maryjane04]

Oh wow... I definitely think you need a compartment for everything.. one for rings and bands.. one for some wrist bling.. one big tray for a necklace/necklaces etc.. and maybe some bits and bobs for earrings and ear bling.. hahaha what an amazing box and I can't wait to see the restoration process.

 

[Christinak]

Wow this is beautiful @lavenderdragonfly23

For inspiration - I’ve always loved the Jessica McCormack jewellery boxes

Luxury Jewelry Boxes | Jessica McCormack

Jessica believes that jewelry honors meaningful moments in time, brought to life in precious, lasting form. It is in this same spirit that Jessica conceptualized and crafted our Heirloom Jewelry Box service. Our beautiful Heirloom boxes create a home for these treasured pieces, ready to be...

www.jessicamccormack.com

 

[Ally T]

I am so excited for this journey! You definitely need a ring tray, where you can slide your lovelies in standing upright. You don’t want Flora to scratch on anything else, so I feel she needs to be secure when tucked up at night.

 

[autumngems]

Oh My, now you have me looking at these!

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I am so excited for this journey! You definitely need a ring tray, where you can slide your lovelies in standing upright. You don’t want Flora to scratch on anything else, so I feel she needs to be secure when tucked up at night.

Thank you! I’m so excited!!!

Most definitely- ring tray(s) is a must.
If this was your collection how would you organize the two upper baskets and lower space?

Currently own
Flora
4 bands

I would love to add
4 thin bands
2 wide bands
1 five stone ring
1 dinner ring
1 Tennis bracelet
2-3 bangles
1-2 pair of earrings
1 solitaire necklace
1 watch

 

[winnietucker]

Wow this is beautiful @lavenderdragonfly23

For inspiration - I’ve always loved the Jessica McCormack jewellery boxes

Luxury Jewelry Boxes | Jessica McCormack

Jessica believes that jewelry honors meaningful moments in time, brought to life in precious, lasting form. It is in this same spirit that Jessica conceptualized and crafted our Heirloom Jewelry Box service. Our beautiful Heirloom boxes create a home for these treasured pieces, ready to be...

www.jessicamccormack.com

Absolutely gorgeous but $29k?!?

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

Absolutely gorgeous but $29k?!?

Oh thank god… I was hoping I wasn’t the only one

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I have a little bit of direction … I found the most perfect shade of aqua in velvet fabric for the upper two basket compartments and the entire lower space.

“Duck Egg Blue”



Now to find a coordinating print (hopefully a beautiful silk dupinoi with for the front and top (see highlighted areas)

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

For the silk in the highlighted areas I would love to find something similar to this… leave it to me to fall in love with something I had to buy two centuries ago

My current mood board, which will probably change 300 times lol

 

[lala646]

I agree with @Ally T that you need a ring tray, but make sure to be very aware of Flora's height when talking with the designer. I have a few rings that are too tall to go in the ring tray in my jewelry box (it was not custom). That may not be an issue with Flora, but something worth keeping in mind.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

Oooo.,,, since the brass plate on the top is Art Nouveau style, I could do an art nouveau fabric on the inside and a matching aqua velvet for the compartments.

I agree with @Ally T that you need a ring tray, but make sure to be very aware of Flora's height when talking with the designer. I have a few rings that are too tall to go in the ring tray in my jewelry box (it was not custom). That may not be an issue with Flora, but something worth keeping in mind.

OHHH! Good point! Thank you!

 

[LightBright]

Oooo.,,, since the brass plate on the top is Art Nouveau style, I could do an art nouveau fabric on the inside and a matching aqua velvet for the compartments.


OHHH! Good point! Thank you!

I’m curious what you consider Art Nouveau style fabric. Is that a pattern?

Just an opinion, but I’d think solid colors all around would be better to help your pieces pop. Patterns to me obscure the jewelry.

If you want patterns, maybe consider a pattern woven into the fabric (same color).

This is just a thought.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I’m curious what you consider Art Nouveau style fabric. Is that a pattern?

Just an opinion, but I’d think solid colors all around would be better to help your pieces pop. Patterns to me obscure the jewelry.

If you want patterns, maybe consider a pattern woven into the fabric (same color).

This is just a thought.

I’ve been looking at art nouveau fabrics that are based mainly off of William Morris designs. He was a textile artist in the mid-late 1800’s who is considered the pioneer of the art nouveau/art and crafts movement in England. Art nouveau looks like something out of a dream, fantasy if you will… patterned flowers, animals, birds, fruit. Another art nouveau artist who you may be more familiar with - his father started a jewelry company around this time, I’ll give you a hint, it starts with a “T” lol!

I have a feeling I will end up doing something like you mentioned, same color through out, different texture. Most of the print I really like are larger scale and I don’t think will look right on a smaller space.

I have time to decide, so just narrowing things down.

 

[Christinak]

Absolutely gorgeous but $29k?!?

Exactly !!!

Which is why I admire from afar :0

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I love these next two, but they

Exactly !!!

Which is why I admire from afar :0

You and me both!

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

Update!

My beautuful box will begin its journey home from France on Friday

After looking at hundreds of fabrics, compartment designs the past week, and reading through @Ally T thread about antiques holding onto memories and emotions … I realized the importance of having the box here for a bit before I begin any changes. The romantic in me wants to believe that things can hold memories, so I’m going to keep her as is, until I know exactly what we both need.

This box is not just a jewelry box, she’s a piece of history, an incredible amount of time, patience and talent went into to creating her … I owe it to the artists that created her to not rush into anything.

She should be here next week sometime, and I anticipate the restoration this summer.

Morgane was so sweet and understanding… she is a treasure, she truly loves what she does and I’m so happy to have found her through IG. She also had a very sweet surprise for me … she found an antique victorian skeleton key that fits!

 

[Ally T]

Update!

My beautuful box will begin its journey home from France on Friday

After looking at hundreds of fabrics, compartment designs the past week, and reading through @Ally T thread about antiques holding onto memories and emotions … I realized the importance of having the box here for a bit before I begin any changes. The romantic in me wants to believe that things can hold memories, so I’m going to keep her as is, until I know exactly what we both need.

This box is not just a jewelry box, she’s a piece of history, an incredible amount of time, patience and talent went into to creating her … I owe it to the artists that created her to not rush into anything.

She should be here next week sometime, and I anticipate the restoration this summer.

Morgane was so sweet and understanding… she is a treasure, she truly loves what she does and I’m so happy to have found her through IG. She also had a very sweet surprise for me … she found an antique victorian skeleton key that fits!

Cannot wit to see pictures of this beautiful thing when it arrives with you And I love that you care going to live with it for a while to see what ‘it’ wants you to do.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

Cannot wit to see pictures of this beautiful thing when it arrives with you And I love that you care going to live with it for a while to see what ‘it’ wants you to do.

Thank you, Ally… You inspired me to pause for a moment and go with what my gut felt was right and the minute I made this decision I felt in peace. I know it’s the right thing to do. Something just didn’t feel about removing her original linens before seeing her in person.. so thank you for your thread

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

My beautiful box is officially enroute and leaving France as I type this!

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

The year is 1890.

Michail Jampolsky, a 50 year old sculpture from Paris known for his bronze work, completes a rectangular plate in a new art form fellow artists are calling, “Art Nouveau.” Michail was born in the Ukraine and at a very young age he was recognized for his talent as a sculptor. When he was 14 years old, he decided to move to Paris and study with the greats. The plate was for a jewelry box he was commissioned for earlier that month. Little does he know how monumental this time period is for the future art world.

An hour south of Paris in the small
town of Lyon, J.M. Rozier carefully stamps a beautiful piece of hand woven chocolate brown silk dupioni. The silk is for a jewelry box. He had just opened his silk shop that year and was excited to complete one of his first orders. Little does he know, his little shop will thrive for more than a hundred years and his name will become synonymous with the French silk industry. He will go on to work with many large names in the fashion industry including Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier for many years.

A week later the custom jewelry box was completed and given as a birthday gift. This box would reside in France for 135 years. Until one day, it was carefully wrapped and traveled to the other side of the world, and once again, given as a gift … this time, to a mom on Mother’s Day.


Thank you to the talented artists who created this beautiful jewelry box. I feel incredibly blessed to be its next caretaker. I promise to take care of your artwork, and to tell your story.
Your art will be preserved and your name will not be forgotten.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Ugh. Don’t change a thing it is perfection. I want one.

 

[Ally T]

I am dead. It’s stunning! Please live with it as it is for a while & see what it tells you it wants you to do. You’ll just get a feeling about it. It looks in amazing condition for its age & blimey, if only it could talk……..

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

Ugh. Don’t change a thing it is perfection. I want one.

This was my gut reaction when I opened the box too. I’m so glad I had the box sent here, before her linens were replaced. I definitely plan on leaving her as is, for the time being. The hinges on the rotating boxes need to be stabilized which should be non invasive. I also plan on consulting with a leather restoration specialist about how to properly care for and preserve the box- I want to make sure she continues to age gracefully for the next 100 years

I am dead. It’s stunning! Please live with it as it is for a while & see what it tells you it wants you to do. You’ll just get a feeling about it. It looks in amazing condition for its age & blimey, if only it could talk……..

Thank you! I definitely plan on spending some time with her before I make any changes. If, and that’s a very strong if… I decide to restore the linens, I will be reaching out to M. Rozier first; they still have detailed archives that date back to the very beginning, including this box. The lower green velvet, that I may decide to switch to a new velvet. But the upper original linens I’m thinking should stay as is. The feel of the antique silk is divine. They are part of the boxes history

 

[Dreamer_D]

That green is gorgeous though.

I’m sure you could find ring holders to place in the to section somehow…

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

That green is gorgeous though.

I’m sure you could find ring holders to place in the to section somehow…

My mom and I are brainstorming as we speak. She’s a brilliant seamstress and I have no doubt she will come up with something. I’m amazed something so old could be in such beautiful shape. As a society I think we need to slow down and start building things to last. It’s so silly, it’s a jewelry box… a box. Nothing in my 25 year old home comes close to the craftsmanship. I was in tears when I opened the package yesterday… it’s such a special piece. If my home was on fire I would grab my family and this box and let the rest burn, every else is replaceable.

 

[EllieTO]

I'm speechless! This box is out of this world! Literally, because it's from another time. It gives me goosebumps.

I often get irritated with disposable, low quality goods. It feels like such a waste of our Earth's resources. At the same time, it makes me sad to think that very very few people could afford things as nice as this box, and this wasn't what everyone had in their homes. This quality and craftsmanship is limited to the few - both today and in 1890.

I hope this doesn't come across as being a downer. This is what antiques do to me - make me ponder our existence as a society - past, present and future.

Happy Mother's Day!

 

[newtojewels]

Oh how absolutely stunning. What a beautiful home for Flora. I'm so glad you saw her as she is before making any changes! I think a restoration is very reasonable if needed, fabric is meant to be replaced eventually, but I would stick with the current colors which are just perfect.

 

[Dreamer_D]

My mom and I are brainstorming as we speak. She’s a brilliant seamstress and I have no doubt she will come up with something. I’m amazed something so old could be in such beautiful shape. As a society I think we need to slow down and start building things to last. It’s so silly, it’s a jewelry box… a box. Nothing in my 25 year old home comes close to the craftsmanship. I was in tears when I opened the package yesterday… it’s such a special piece. If my home was on fire I would grab my family and this box and let the rest burn, every else is replaceable.

You had me searching for a special jewelry box last night too! I don’t think I can swing something so fantastic as yours yet but I found some very pretty ones. I am going to get a beautiful place to store my pretties. I find taking them off and putting them away, and putting it all on again in the morning is a ritual that should have beauty and pleasure attached to it.

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

You had me searching for a special jewelry box last night too! I don’t think I can swing something so fantastic as yours yet but I found some very pretty ones. I am going to get a beautiful place to store my pretties. I find taking them off and putting them away, and putting it all on again in the morning is a ritual that should have beauty and pleasure attached to it.

Oh I love this for you! I’ve been looking for long time, and there is some beautiful boxes on Etsy… try “tufted silk” “tooled leather” “gilding” “ormolu” - those are beautiful beveled glass with tufted silk pillows, so pretty… there are a lot of vintage remakes from the 60’s without the tufted silk… wait for the real antique ones with the original tufted silk, they are to die for. I’ve seen beautiful true antique boxes glass, leather and velvet sprinkled through Etsy, eBay and auctions from $150-$3k.

I am with you in the morning/evening routine … I will say, I’ve only had the box for a day, but last night, taking Flora off and setting her in an antique box that was likely made around time time she was cut … it just felt right