Round box made of hallmarked silver with engine-turned guilloché decoration and an elegant gilt interior. The lid features a refined radial motif centered by an ornamental medallion and surrounded by a classical-inspired border, while the base reproduces an elaborate, highly precise concentric guilloché pattern. The piece retains an excellent definition of the decorative work and an attractive contrast between the exterior silver finish and the interior gilding.

These types of boxes were produced by French workshops specializing in luxury items during the second half of the 19th century. Guilloché decoration, achieved using a precision mechanical lathe, was one of the most prized techniques in French silversmithing due to the complexity and quality of its execution. The typology, the interior gilding, and the hallmark compatible with the Minerva head are consistent with French manufacturing from circa 1880, within the continuity of neoclassical taste in decorative arts.

• Period / style: Late 19th century · Neoclassical
• Origin: France
• Circa: 1880
• Materials: Hallmarked silver with gilt interior
• Stamps or Hallmarks: Hallmark compatible with Minerva head
• Acid test: Performed
• Measurements: 4.4 cm diameter x 1.6 cm height 
• Weight: 20.66 g

Condition: These items are not new; they show signs of wear and may have scratches and imperfections inherent to their age and use. Please examine the photos carefully. We offer an accurate description; if you need to confirm a detail, please write to us before purchasing.