Enamel of Vienna coffer signed Klein

Small, rectangular, enamel coffer decorated with mythological scenes that are framed with spiraling lines of ormolu and attached with flowers at the corners. The Rape of Amynone bya fauna and rescue by Neptune adorns the lid. The front and back of the box are decorated with images of Diana being woken by her nymphs and the Rape of Europa. The sides have images of Mercury educating Cupid and a bath scene. The medallions are surrounded by multicolored, flowery foliage, medallions, and latticework inlaid with flowers. Two gilt bronze friezes richly decorated with foliage and interlacing adorn the borders of this casket that rests of four ball-shaped ormolu feet. Marked KLEIN 38 Bd. des Italiens. Paris.

August Klein was originally a bookbinder and leather worker who founded a small shop in Vienna in 1847. His business prospered, he exhibited at the World Exhibition in Vienna, Paris London and also Melbourne. He imported many objects and leather and enamel in different countries including France where he opened a store boulevard de Italiens in Paris.
This piece is representative of the taste for Historicism which developed in Vienna in the second half of the 19th century. Thus, the taste of objects of the XVIth and XVIIth centuries develops. Many pieces of enamelled form appear. These pieces are strongly influenced by the Renaissance and the taste of cabinets of curiosities in vogue in the XVIth and XVIIth centuries.

Dim: L: 7,67 in (19,5cm), P: 4,52 in (11,5cm), H: 5,5 in (14cm).

Second part of the 19th century. Circa 1870-1880.