{"product_id":"leather-stationary-box","title":"Napoleon III Leather Correspondence Box","description":"\u003cp\u003eboîte à correspondance\u003cbr\u003eFrench Leather Correspondence Box\u003cbr\u003eNapoléon III Period — c. 1860–1880\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA monogrammed desktop writing box in gold-tooled Morocco leather, made to commission for a named individual. Kept on the writing desk of a cultivated French household, it organised the tools of correspondence — paper, envelopes, sealing wax, pens — for the social rituals that governed Second Empire life. Its form miniaturises the roll-top desk into a portable object: a fall-front interior and a divided lower drawer, both intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEach surface carries its own hand-applied gilt design — scrollwork, ornate corners, and a central monogram panel on the lid; leafy gold flourishes framing the brass keyhole plate on the drawer. Every motif was made by pressing a heated brass stamp through gold leaf into the leather. The soft warmth of the gilding today is simply 160 years of age.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll original: brass hardware throughout (hinges, knob, escutcheons — all functioning), Napoleon III blue-green base paper, remnants of violet-purple fabric lining, leather lining in the drawer. The survival of the base paper on a piece of this age is uncommon and confirms the box has not been restored. Exterior wear is appropriate for age. An unrestored example. See photos.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"foundresse","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56324278911142,"sku":null,"price":348.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0637\/7645\/6870\/files\/A3B8BDA4-FE3C-43C7-8752-E4B0E3EB5867.jpg?v=1774546919","url":"https:\/\/foundresse.com\/products\/leather-stationary-box","provider":"foundresse","version":"1.0","type":"link"}