Decorative Arts, Box, Stationery, Letters, Gilt Leather, Italy, 20th Century

Leather Letter Stationery Box
Continental:  20th Century
Gilt tooled leather on wood
10 inches high, 8.5 inches wide, 6.25 inches deep
$1,450

A handsome tan calf leather desk top box for letters and stationery. It is rectangular, surmounted by a gilt brass carrying handle, and has a slant top lid above a chamfered break front main section on a molded base. The leather is decorated on the exterior with extensive and elaborate gilt tooled designs in the Florentine taste with various repeating classical designs on all sides. The tooled design on the slant top is centered by an intricate circle between four quarter-circular fans. The lid opens with brass hinges and has a gilt engraved shaped fancy brass latch closing to a brass escutcheon similarly decorated, with lock and  key on the front panel. The interior is comprised by four compartments of equal size separated by dividers for organizing letters and stationery and is lined with red moire silk. It was most likely made in Italy – perhaps Florence — for the tourist trade, but possibly could be French.

Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning, wear, handling.