A pair of Sainte Lucie wood toilet caskets

In the manner of Cesar Bagard, of rectangular shape, the upper surface of the lid centred by coat of arms with marquess crown surrounded by foliages, mouldings and acanthus leaves borders. The sides decorated with foliate scrolls.
Circa 1705

Bois de Sainte-Lucie, a kind of sherry-wood, was worked following silver models and decoration. This material is traditionally associated with Nancy-native sculptor César Bagard (1620-1709), and has been used for various objects as religious or toilet items in the aim to replace silver whose use was theoretically forbidden during the end of Louis XIV reign.

These boxes belonged to the marquise de Vérac, widow (as the shape of the coat of arms indicates) in 1704 of Olivier de Saint Georges marquis de Vérac, chevalier des ordres, commandant pour le roi en Poitou. The Saint Georges family, illustrious for his ancient lineage and services provided to the kings, allied with the famous Rochechouart family in the early 16th century. It was Olivier de Vérac who inserted the Rochechouart’s coat of arms in his.