Antique Napoleon III Style Wood Marquetry Jewelry and Letter Box with Brass-Tone Borders

In a 19th-century French home, a box like this sat on a dressing table or writing desk. It held letters, rings and the small things people kept close.

The box is rectangular, with a hinged lid decorated in wood marquetry. Geometric frames lead the eye to a central medallion, and brass-tone banding runs around the edges. Marquetry means building a pattern from small pieces of thin wood veneer. They are cut and fitted together like a jigsaw, then glued onto the box, so the design is made from the wood itself rather than painted on.

The box is in very good antique condition. It has been kept with care for well over a century and is ready to be used again. Set it on a dresser or a hall table to hold jewelry, letters or keepsakes.

Box in brief: a Napoleon III style marquetry box with geometric frames, a central medallion and brass-tone borders, for jewelry or letters.

DETAILS

Size: 24 x 17 x 9 cm (9.4 x 6.7 x 3.5 in) — about the size of a small tablet, and about as tall as a coffee mug
Material: wood, wood marquetry, brass-tone banding
Style-Period: Napoleon III style · mid to late 19th century
Shipping: professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide · we handle the paperwork and pay all import duties · nothing to settle on delivery
Condition: very good antique condition
Returns: accepted within 30 days

Read our condition standard. Please ask if you need additional photographs or measurements.

A decorative style is not a guarantee of a particular maker or date. See the individual listing for the stated attribution and period.

Worldwide delivery is included in the price. Every piece is individually packed, tracked and fully insured. No shipping charge is added at checkout. If your destination is not listed, please contact us before ordering.

Maison Jaspers pays US tariffs and import duties. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you need destination-specific guidance.

Dispatch timing is shown above. Transit time depends on your destination.

Delivery information

Notify us within 30 days of delivery if you wish to return a piece. No reason is required. You pay return shipping for a change-of-mind return.

Return instructions and your consumer rights