"Master" Jewelry Box 18th Century in Miniature Louis XV Style, France, Walnut Marquetry and Fine Woods

(CLO0_003_3050)

This jewellery box in the form of a miniature chest of drawers, known as the "master", is an exceptional work of French cabinetry, manufactured at the end of the Louis XV period (around 1750-1760). This type of object served as a display of skill for apprentices or as a special piece intended for the most refined decorative and personal uses.

The piece is made of walnut marquetry with inlays of fine woods such as rosewood, amaranth and light woods, offering a delicate and elegant visual contrast. Originally, it may have been used to store jewelry, souvenirs, or even "the sweet notes" of a beloved, evoking the romanticism and sophistication of its time. The "masters" were pieces created by cabinetmakers to demonstrate their skill in construction and decoration techniques, such as marquetry. These miniature chests of drawers could also be special orders for women of high society, who used them as jewellery boxes or decorative chests. The sobriety of this piece, combined with its refinement, is typical of the transition between Rococo and the straighter lines of the Louis XVI style.

This jewellery box is a testament to the French provincial craftsmanship of the eighteenth century, retaining the charm and delicacy of its time.