Gold mounted rock crystal box with reverse intaglio

A round box made of rock crystal with elegantly wrought gold mounts, the hinged lid cut on the inside (reverse intaglio or 'Essex crystal') and finely painted with a scene of two ducks at the waterfront. The knob made of turquoise and two rose-cut diamonds, set in silver. Western Europe, late 19th century



Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.0 cm   
Weight: 56.4 grams



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An objet d’art to treasure, and to keep small treasures in! We are happy to share with you this piece of sublime workmanship: a round box made of rock crystal, with a beautifully refined Essex crystal painting in the lid. Essex crystal is the name for jewelry and objects that are finely carved in the back of a piece of rock crystal (“reverse intaglio”) and then painted with extremely thin brushes, so that from the front, the object has a three dimensional quality. In this gorgeous example, the painting of two ducks in the reed is very well executed, with great detail. The hinged lid is mounted with finely wrought yellow gold and has a knob of turquoise, sided by two rose-cut diamonds set in silver.
Western Europe, late 19th century
Size: 4.5 x 3 cm, weight: 56,4 grams