18k Gold Antique French Pillbox Vinaigrette Case, c.1850

Details

Description

A rare and exquisite 19th-century French match safe, or étui, crafted in gleaming 18-karat gold with intricate hand-engraved detailing and … Read more A rare and exquisite 19th-century French match safe, or étui, crafted in gleaming 18-karat gold with intricate hand-engraved detailing and a chevron guilloché pattern that dances in the light. Likely dating to around 1850, this elegant little case once slipped into a waistcoat or pocket, holding tightly guarded treasures, perhaps matches, snuff or tablets, each tucked behind its finely hinged compartments.

The case features two separate openings: a hinged top that snaps shut tightly. On the other end is a ridged bottom for striking and igniting matches. An exterior pocket compartment may have been used to hold perfumed salts or substances to revive fainting ladies (or gentlemen!). Whether used for practicality or panache, it is a testament to an era when even the smallest objects were made with the utmost care and craftsmanship.

Hallmarked and wonderfully preserved, this piece is more than an accessory, it’s a conversation starter, a collector’s dream, and a lasting echo of 19th-century Parisian life.

Dimensions: approx. 2.75” L x 1” W
Material: 18K gold (tested, with hallmarks)
Origin: France, c. 1850
Condition: Excellent antique condition with gentle surface wear consistent with age.
Weighs 10.8 grams. See less