Jewelry box; France, first third of the nineteenth century.

Jewelry box; France, first third of the nineteenth century.
Enameled porcelain and brass mounts with enamel applications.
Three are missing and has partially lost inscription.
Signed: C. du Liege
Measurements: 7,5 x 14 x 8,5 cm.
French jewelry box, made in the first third of the 19th century. Its structure is made of enameled porcelain, decorated with mythological or pastoral scenes of rococo inspiration, in a subtle chromatic range of pinks, grays and whites, accented with floral details and putti figures that evoke innocence and love. The golden brass frames embrace the box with an elegant lock on the front, and are enriched with enamel applications that mimic pearls, bringing luxury and sophistication to the whole.

The artist who signs the piece, C. du Liege, is referenced in "Ceramic art; a compendium of history & manufacture of pottery & porcelain", page 324.

The scene painted on the lid seems to represent a gallant scene, while the sides show a group of cupids in a playful attitude, all framed by idyllic landscapes and delicate vegetation.
During the first third of the 19th century, Europe was experiencing the rise of Romanticism, which brought with it a renewed interest in the handcrafted, the intimate and the emotional. Jewel boxes such as this one were not only containers for jewelry, but were symbols of affection and social status, often given as gifts on special occasions such as weddings or engagements.
These objects reflect the refined taste of the rising bourgeoisie and the European courts, which valued miniaturization, artistic precision and ornamental beauty. Their manufacture required great technical skill, especially in painting on enameled porcelain, which was highly valued for its durability and the possibility of capturing narrative scenes in small formats.