Offered here from the dougfinds collection of curated fashion, accessories, clothing, collectibles, and unique gifts is this beautiful vintage Florentine gilt wood jewelry, trinket or keepsake box, made in Florence, Italy and decorated with a reproduction of Jan van Huysum's magnificent floral still life Flowers in a Terracotta Vase.

This is one of those vintage decorative pieces where the age and patina are part of the appeal rather than something to apologize for.

The rectangular wooden box is finished in the traditional Florentine manner with a richly textured, antiqued gold-tone surface. Darkened recesses, scattered speckling, rubbed edges and tonal variation give the gold finish the wonderfully old-world appearance associated with vintage Florentine decorative wares.

THE LID IS THE STAR

Set into the gently curved lid is a colorful floral art reproduction after Dutch Golden Age flower painter Jan van Huysum (1682–1749).

The lavish arrangement combines roses and other blossoms with richly colored foliage against a warm neutral ground. Against the aged Florentine gold surrounding it, the image has the appearance of a tiny framed Old Master painting incorporated directly into the box.

Van Huysum's original Flowers in a Terracotta Vase is held by the National Gallery in London and is dated 1736–1737.

AUTHENTIC FLORENCE, ITALY MARKINGS

Turn the box over and its origin becomes particularly nice.

The base is permanently impressed:
FLORENCE
MADE IN ITALY

Above this appears a raised Florentine fleur-de-lis, an especially appropriate decorative emblem for a piece made in Florence.

An additional vintage foil label reads:
Home Essentials & Beyond
Made in Italy

Together with the construction and decorative treatment, the markings make this much more satisfying than an unmarked “Florentine style” decorative box.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
· Wooden box construction
· Gently arched / curved lid
· Floral decoupage-style art panel
· Antiqued gilt / gold-tone decorative finish
· Full-width continuous brass-tone piano hinge
· Single open storage compartment
· Clean, unlined wood interior
· Raised molded architectural-style base
· Impressed Florence / Made in Italy markings
· Fleur-de-lis emblem on underside

The continuous hinge is particularly nice. Rather than two small decorative hinges, it runs essentially the full width of the lid and provides substantial support when opening and closing the box.

SIZE
Approximately:
· 4½" wide
· 3½" deep
· Just under 2" high

Please refer to the measurement photographs for the most precise dimensions.

CONDITION
Excellent vintage condition with a particularly attractive aged Florentine patina.

The box remains structurally sound, the lid seats properly, and the continuous piano hinge is intact, secure and operates smoothly.

The floral lid image remains colorful and attractive.

The gold-tone finish displays intentional antiquing/distressing together with normal age-related surface wear, including darkened areas, rubbed edges, spotting, finish variation and small marks. Much of this mottled character is intrinsic to the decorative treatment and is precisely what gives vintage Florentine pieces their distinctive time-worn appearance.

The unlined interior is quite clean with minor scuffs and marks consistent with age and previous use.

There are no major structural problems apparent, and the box presents beautifully as a genuine vintage decorative object rather than a pristine modern reproduction.

Please examine the numerous close-up photographs carefully; they are intentionally detailed and form an important part of the condition description.

A SMALL PIECE WITH A LOT GOING FOR IT

This box brings together several collecting and decorating interests in one wonderfully compact piece:
· Vintage Florence, Italy craftsmanship
· Traditional Florentine gilt decoration
· Dutch Golden Age floral art
· Jan van Huysum imagery
· Old-world European décor
· Functional jewelry and keepsake storage

It would be equally at home holding favorite jewelry on a dresser, displayed among vintage Italian décor, incorporated into a maximalist or Old World interior, or simply sitting on a shelf as a miniature piece of decorative art.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are considered part of the description and provide the best representation of this item's condition.

Thank you for visiting dougfinds! Alyse and I encourage you to browse our dougfinds Store, where you'll find all of our carefully curated collection of fashion, accessories, collectibles, and unique gifts. Please feel free to message us at any time with your comments or questions.