Measuring 6" high, and 3 3/4" on square marble base, this French champleve enamel urn incense holder is made of brass and stands on a marble base. I believe that it was used to hold liturgical incense for a church. It has a "flame" shaped finial, and the lid is removable. It shows normal wear, and some abrasion to the marble, but in good shape over all. France, era of Napoleon III, c 1870.
Perched upon a subtle green background, this egg-shaped pill box cum snuff cum etui measures 2 1/2" high by 2" in diameter. There is a rooster strutting on the base, and a hen on the top, each executed the the most exquisite enamels. The workmanship is superb, and the gilt mounting is crisp and fine, as is the closing hook. All in supreme condition and about 75 years old. Most likely of French manufacture.
I am always pleased to get these enamel boxes with the sampson "x" mark, because they are always legitimate. They are mid-Nineteenth Century copies of Eighteenth Century boxes, and 150 years old themselves. This one is in very good shape for a larger box 2" high, 3 1/4" Wide, and 2 1/2" deep - but there are always some issues with these, fragile items that they are. There is some crazing visible on the sides, none on the bottom and some on the lid with one contusion visib ...click for details
