Gilt Metal and Green Enamel Jewelry Box — Maison Boissier Circa 1900–1930

Of octagonal serpentine form, the body and domed lid in green enamel over gilt metal, decorated on all sides with scrolling acanthus and foliate arabesques in relief gilt against the green ground, with cream-toned reserve panels throughout. The lid surmounted by a gilt wire bail handle terminating in spherical finials. Fitted interior with cream fabric lining and rouleaux or cord border trim. The underside raised on six cast gilt claw feet with scrolled anklets. Gilt clasp mechanism to front. Maker’s mark of Maison Boissier, Paris, to the lock escutcheon.

Height: 3.5 in. (9 cm.)
Width: 7 in. (18 cm.)
Depth: 4.5 in. (11 cm.)

Maison Boissier was founded in Paris in 1827 by Bélisaire Boissier, who established his first counter on the Boulevard des Capucines. The house became one of the city’s foremost luxury confectioners, numbered among the preferred establishments of Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, and Alexandre Dumas fils.

The house was equally renowned for the quality of its presentation boxes and packaging. These elaborately decorated miniature caskets — in papier-mâché, tortoiseshell, and mother of pearl — were intended to be retained as keepsakes after the confectionery inside had been consumed.

In 1857, Bélisaire passed the business to Cyrille Robineau, who engaged leading luxury craftsmen, including the house of Songny, to produce boxes in silk, leather, and precious materials.

Source: Bélisaire Boissier: Poet of Gastronomy. Maison Boissier, Paris. maison-boissier.com/en/pages/histoire
Source: Maison Boissier Confectioners’ Boxes. Mark Goodger Antiques. markgoodger.co.uk/maker/maison-boissier-confectioners-boxes
Source: Nash, Deborah. “Behind the Brand: A Tale of Two Confectioners.” France Today, 27 February 2023. francetoday.com/food-drink/behind-the-brand-a-tale-of-two-confectioners