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RARE ANTIQUE c. 1820 FRENCH CARTONNAGE VANITY BOX – KING LOUIS XVI PORTRAIT
OVERVIEWAn authentic early 19th-century French cartonnage vanity / trinket box dating to the Bourbon Restoration era (circa 1820). Handcrafted from thick pasteboard and wrapped in textured decorative paper, the lid features a beautiful hand-tinted lithograph portrait depicting King Louis XVI as Dauphin. The portrait is highlighted with an aged lacquer craquelure finish and framed by an elegant embossed gilt paper border.
An exceptionally rare piece of French paper ephemera and early 19th-century decorative art.
CONDITION DETAILS
LID & GRAPHICS: Hand-colored lithograph remains vibrant with rich detail. Lacquer overlay shows classic fine craquelure. Embossed gilt border is intact with light surface patina.
STRUCTURE: Pasteboard structure is sound and sturdy with lid fitting properly.
WEAR & MARKS: Expected age-appropriate wear throughout. Includes edge rubbing, minor paper lifting along margins, light interior toning/foxing, and an adhesive footprint/residue on the underside of the base.
Please review all high-resolution photos for exact cosmetic condition.
APPROXIMATE MEASUREMENTS
Length: 4.5"
Width: 3.25"
Height: 1.5"
SHIPPING & HANDLING
Carefully packed with inner protective cushioning and rigid cardboard protection to ensure safe surface delivery.
Ships within 1-2 business days.
International shipping handled securely via International Shipping (eIS).
A museum-worthy piece of Bourbon Restoration paper ephemera—an extraordinarily rare, surviving 1820s royal portrait cartonnage box that will make a standout addition to any French history or antique box collection.
