Jewelry box; France, late 19th century.

Jewelry box; France, late nineteenth century.
Brass and enamel (white and green).
Preserves key.
Measurements: 5 x 13,5 x 12 cm.
In the nineteenth century, jewelry boxes acquired great importance as both functional and decorative objects, reflecting the refinement and taste of the wealthy classes. Their rise can be explained in the context of the Industrial Revolution and the growth of the bourgeoisie, which boosted the demand for accessible and personalized luxury objects. In addition, the 19th century was an era marked by the valorization of the intimate and sentimental, where giving finely crafted jewelry boxes became an affective and symbolic gesture. The development of new enameling and porcelain production techniques, as well as the influence of artistic styles such as Rococo revival and Romanticism, encouraged the creation of these objects with gallant, mythological or bucolic scenes. The jewelry boxes not only safeguarded the most precious possessions, but were also display pieces, often made by skilled artisans who worked the metal, ceramics and enamel with precision and art. Their presence in boudoirs and salons became a sign of status, sophistication and aesthetic sensibility, which explains their popularity and the variety of designs that proliferated throughout Europe during this period.