ANTIQUE FRENCH SILVER PLATE JEWELLERY BOX LA LEÇON DE FLÛTE

Description

I’ve been holding onto this one for years – it’s a French silver plate jewellery box from the 1800s, bought at an antique dealer in Reims, in the Champagne region. It’s one of those pieces that just feels special, even if it doesn’t look flashy.

The lid has an engraved scene called *La Leçon de Flûte* (The Flute Lesson), showing a young couple in a country setting – very delicate, well done, and still quite clear in the photos. The base is hallmarked B W, which I’ve read is linked to Jean Bastide and Bernard Wicker, two Parisian silversmiths and engravers – the building in the mark looks like a bastide, which makes sense given the style. I’m not an expert, so I’m happy to be corrected!

It’s silver plated, not solid silver, and has a bit of black tarnish and some base copper showing through – definitely signs of age and use. The interior is lined in faded red baize fabric, which has worn a bit over time. The lid opens and closes smoothly, the catch works fine, and the hinge is solid. There’s a bit of sticky tape on the underside of the lid, probably from when it was stored or moved.

It’s not pristine by any means – it’s a real antique with the kind of wear you’d expect – but it’s still intact, well-made, and looks lovely up close. I’ve kept it in a safe spot for years because I just couldn’t part with it, but now I’ve run out of space.

I’m posting it for £45 – I can deliver it for £4.50 if you pay by bank transfer. Only cash on collection or bank transfer are accepted – no PayPal, cards, or courier payments.

If you’re interested, please take a look at the photos – they show the details pretty clearly. It’s not just a box; it’s a little piece of history I’ve kept through the years.